Chinook minds its own beeswax

The theme of Chinook’s 10th Annual Sugarbeet Festival this year is the honey bee industry and celebrations kick off today.

“We try to showcase one of our local industries every year,” said Mitzi Cecrle, the director of the festival. “This year we have chosen the honey bee industry.”

The Sugarbeet Festival’s main purpose is to showcase the business of Chinook and celebrate the community.

Cecrle said one of the most popular events is the sugarbeet growing and decorating contest.

“It’s a way to showcase our enthusiasm of our history as the Sugarbeeters,” Cecrle said.

Among the full schedule of events planned for the weekend is, to start things off, the vendors opening up shop today on Main Street and the 8 p.m. outdoor showing of “Night at the Museum,” which will be projected onto the outside wall of the Wildlife Museum.

Cecrle said something different about this year’s celebrations is the Blaine County Cruisers are bringing back their car show.

“The Blaine County Cruisers are pretty enthusiastic about what they do and what they stand for,” Cecrle said.

The parade Saturday at 4 p.m. is also one of the more popular events and is “a good way for people to show their enthusiasm for their businesses and individually,” she added.

The Wildlife Museum and the Blaine County Museum will be open to visitors throughout the weekend.

Cecrle said that the businesses in Chinook will be decorating their business fronts to celebrate Chinook, its inhabitants and the honey bee industry.

Friday, Sept. 26

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Blaine County Museum Open to the Public

1 to 6 p.m. - Vendors on Main Street Chinook

8 p.m. - “Night at the Museum” Outdoor Movie - North of the Wildlife Museum - Main Street, bring lawn chairs

Saturday, Sept. 27

8 to 10 a.m. - Dan’s Auto Parts Breakfast at the Senior Citizens Center

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Vendors on Main Street Chinook - Contact Jennifer Hellman at 945-7978

9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Car Show - Contact Mike Copenhaver at 357-3446

9 to 11 a.m. - Sugarbeet entries Begin (Near Wells Fargo) - Contact Heidi Brown at 357-3812

Decorate your Sugarbeets like a

Bumble Bee for Special Awards

(best decorated bumble bee/theme)

10 a.m. - Fun Run - Pre Register for T-Shirts online or contact Thom MacLean at 357-3198

3 Mile Run - 10 a.m. and 1 Mile Run

- 11 a.m.

10 a.m. - Team Sorting - Blaine County Fairgrounds, sponsored by the North Central MT Stockgrowers Association

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Blaine County Museum/Wildlife Museum open to the public

11 a.m. - Sugarbeet Growing Contest Judging - Contact Heidi Brown - 357-3812

11 a.m. - Honey Bee Bale Contest, decorate a haybale like a honeybee Contact Paulette Keller at 357-3625

12:30 p.m. - Live Music by local musicians throughout the afternoon on Main Street. Contact Bruce Butcher at 357-2328

12:30 to 2:30 p.m. - Kids Bumble Bee Cake Walk - Grass lot next to Shore’s Floral, contact Valerie Putt at 357-2373

3 p.m. - Look-alike Costume Contest, dress up like the queen bee, beekeeper, bee box, princess bee and the worker bee, contact Kelsey Altenhofen, groups and individuals invited

3:15 p.m. - Line up for parade in front of Meadowlark School

4 p.m. - Parade - Main Street Chinook, contact Sara Paulsen at 399-0744.

5:30 p.m. - Community Barbecue - Centennial Park, Main Street Chinook

Sugarbeet Festival Winners will be announced during the Barbecue

8 p.m. - Drive-In Movie at the Fairgrounds "The Bee Movie" Chinook

Business Decorating Contest - People’s Choice Awards will be awarded following the parade.

Sunday, Sept. 28

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Vendors, Blaine County Fairgrounds, Contact Jennifer Hellman at 945-7978

10 a.m. Black Pot Cooking Contest, Contact Keri Hanson at 357-3573, Community taste testing

2 p.m. - Horseshoe Tournament - Blaine County Fairgrounds