Sugarbeet Festival on in Chinook Saturday

The 2023 Sugarbeet Festival in Chinook will begin Saturday, a yearly festival that, this time around, will also be a celebration of the town’s new slogan, “Small town, big community.”

Laine Jorgensen, the event’s press spokesperson, said the town felt it was time for a bit of a rebrand and she is hoping the festival raises enthusiasm for the community.

Jorgensen said they are trying to set as many events on main street as possible so people can see as much of the festival as possible in one place.

“We’re looking forward to seeing more activity along main street this year in general,” she said.

The event will kick off with a fun run at 10 a.m. at the Blaine County Library, as vendors around town open up with all kinds of items for sale.

At 11 a.m. the Sugarbeet Decorating Contest will begin, a mainstay event for the festival, and a car show will begin at Bear Paw Saloon at the same time. There will also be a tractor show starting at 11 a.m with both shows wrapping up at 4:30 p.m.

Jorgensen said the tractor show got great attendance last year and they are hoping to see the same this year, especially with the return of the car show, which hasn’t been at the festival for several year.

She also said Pippi the Clown will be at the festival to entertain children this year, another new addition she is excited about.

At 1 p.m. at Shores Floral there will be a Dog Costume Contest, fallowed by a Pie Eating Contest at 2 p.m. at Chinook Pharmacy and B&B Buyers, an event Jorgensen said is quite the spectacle.

From noon to 4 p.m. the festival will also feature live music and at 5 p.m. the parade through town will begin.

Throughout the day at First Bank of Montana there will be a Scarecrow Contest, and the local Eagles Club will host games of bowling, with a $2 charge for children and seniors, and $3 for adults.