Live History Days a hit with locals, visitors
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POLSON — The Rat Patrol Jeep buzzed almost nonstop around the grounds of the Miracle of America Museum on July 17 and 18, and the periodic boom of the tennis ball launcher could be heard as could chugging tractors, the hum of the can crushing machine and the train whistle.
Brock and Brody Sturm and Sam and Justin Schultz, all under 10, spent two-and-a-half hours at the Miracle of America Museum for Live History Days on July 18, a lot of time for the boys. The jet, the big hit with the boys, with its helmet and radio, the helicopter, jeep rides plus all the vintage cars, vehicles, tractors, trains and bicycles, were all hog heaven for the younger set.
Adults enjoyed Live History Days, too. Gil and Joanne Mangels said about 1,500 folks attended the two-day event. A stroll through the parking lot on Sunday showed mostly Montana license plates, but there were also visitors from North Carolina and other states as well as Scotland, Ukraine, New Zealand and Turkey, according to the Mangels.
Joanne said a Kalispell teacher had waited for three years to round up all her grandkids and brought them all to Live History Days. At least three local families said they had never been to the Miracle of America Museum and decided to come to Live History Days this year.
After wandering outside and visiting the blacksmith shop, the bird carver, the beader, the potter or the pine needle basket maker, visitors could also stroll through the inside exhibits or watch Mary
Arden and Betty Gerrity quilt or see a spinning demonstration. On Saturday afternoon, old time fiddlers entertained. On Sunday, KC and the Valley Cats played, and audience members stacked up four rows of chairs to make a dance floor and kick up their heels to “When the Saints Go Marching In,” “Mame,” and other toe tappers.
The best part was the “intergenerational bonding” taking place among grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, according to Gil.
