By Tim Leeds
FORT BENTON Fort Benton is holding Whoop It Up 2000, its 24th annual summer celebration, this weekend starting at 9 a.m. Friday.
The activities begin with a lemonade sale and bazaar at the Chouteau County Library and canoe and keelboat trips on the Missouri River. Later activities include concerts and entertainment, with Havre's Timely Trio one of the featured performers.
Other activities include socials and auctions, athletic events, barbecues, refreshments and a fireworks display Saturday evening.
Some highlights include, for Friday:
Missouri River Flea Market at the fairgrounds from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday;
A City Band concert at 6 p.m. at Old Fort Park;
Patricia Ryan performing at the Old Fort Park stage at 8 p.m.;
Steinke & Hauser at the Overland Bar, 808 14th St., in the evening;
Saturday's activities include:
A free breakfast at Old Fort Park from 7-10 a.m.;
A children's fishing derby, sponsored by Lehman's True Value, with an 8 a.m. sign up and an 8:30 start time at Old Fire Hall;
Fun Run/Walk beginning at Lewis and Clark Statue with one, three and five mile events;
Art on the Levee from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Old Fort Park;
Dedication of the Old Fire House Information Center at 9:30 a.m.;
Public tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Historical Fort Benton Reconstruction;
Lewis and Clark Honor Guard living history encampment from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 pm. Sunday at Old Fort Park;
A parade at 11 a.m.;
Timely Trio at 1 p.m., Green Chimney at 2 pm., Patricia Ryan at 3 p.m. and Steinke & Hauser at 3:45 p.m., performing at Old Fort Park Stage;
Historical tour on Trolley Time at 3 p.m.
Chouteau County Trail Blazers Wagon Train arrives at 3:30 p.m. with a parade down Front Street;
Duck Race at Old Fort Benton Bridge at 5 p.m.;
Old West Reenactment at 1400 block of Front Street at 5:57 p.m.;
Green Chimney at 7 p.m. and Steinke & Hauser at 8 p.m. perform at Grand Union Square;
Street dance at Grand Union Square from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., featuring Bucky Beaver Groundgrippers.
Sunday's activities include:
Jaycee Father's Day Breakfast at Old Fort Park, fee activity;
n Due North 2000 International Trail Ride leaves Fort Benton at 8 a.m., parades down Front Street and around Old Fort Park;
Public tours of Historical Old Fort Benton Reconstruction from 19 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fourth Annual Gospel Jubilee from 2-5 p.m. at Old Fort Park;
Historical tour on Trolley Time at 2 p.m., begins at Shep Statue on Front Street.
Fees are required for some of the activities at the celebration.
The celebration is sponsored by the Fort Benton Community Improvement association and by the Fort Benton Chamber of Commerce.
For additional information, contact the Fort Benton Chamber of Commerce at (406) 622-3864 or refer to their home page on the Internet at www.fortbenton.com.
