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Forty years is quite a milestone for any event or relationship. Especially when it's an event that brings thousands of people to a small Northwest Montana town. And even more so when it is run exclusively by volunteers.

Friday through Sunday, vendors, food booths and a variety of performers will entertain visitors at the 40th annual Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek.

Each year since 1986, artists have been chosen to develop a logo for the festival. Local artists including Craid Waldron, Sarah Dramstad, Barbara Mullins and Sharon Pound created article for the festival throughout the years. Dramstad created the logos for 1998 - 2002, and also drew the animated huckleberries (seen on the 1998 logo at the bottom left) which adorn the official Huckleberry Festival stationary.

This year's artwork was created by James Crowder, owner of Mighty Fine T's and Crowder Design in Thompson Falls. Festival chairperson Debb McNary said the artwork for 2020 has already been chosen as well.

The Huckleberry Festival will be Friday through Sunday at the Trout Creek Park. The festivities include the ever popular pancake breakfast at the fire hall Saturday and Sunday, and the parade - featuring grand marshals Jim and Kathy Hill of Trout Creek ­- at 11 a.m. Saturday.

On Friday, young ladies and gentlemen will compete in the Miss Huckleberry and Mr. Huck Finn talent contest, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

The run for fun begins at 8:30 a.m. and the Huckleberry Hounds will be back with their dog agility demonstrations. Live music will be featured on the stage throughout the weekend and the Albeni Falls Pipes & Drums will perform in the parade and on the stage Saturday. The festival auction begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, with a preview at 5.

Huckleberry treats and other food will be avialable in the park throughout the weekend, and vendors will sell crafts, artwork and other wares in the park. McNary said that there are more than 30 new vendors at the festival this year.

A complete schedule, brought to you by local businesses, is available on pages 4 and 5. For more information, visit http://www.huckleberryfestival.com.