As I arrived at the Three Forks United Methodist Church on the morning of June 1, I could not believe how beautiful of a day it already was.
A nice crowd arrived on a Saturday morning for the grand opening of the Greater Good Thrift Store, which was celebrated with a ribbon cutting and hosted by the Three Forks Chamber of Commerce.
Standing outside, I chatted for a couple of minutes with a local business owner who echoed my thoughts on how nice of a day it was but also shared with me what a great day it was for Three Forks with the opening of the store and both museums for the season, as well as a good crowd that had already formed at Rusty Bucket Antiques for their flea market. The conversation made me think just how incredible the summer can be in Three Forks.
On this day, it was only 9 a.m., but there were already people out and about on the streets, which is often common on the weekends. It was great to see people sitting out on the porch at the "Sac" and others walking around to visit local businesses. Others were already walking on the Headwaters Trails System, which is such a boon to the area, and there were plenty of people at the Headwaters Golf Course.
A few days later, the Three Forks Farmers' Market opened for the season, which is always a highlight. It offers an opportunity to shop from local vendors, a wonderful sense of community, and a chance to get out, catch up with old friends, and meet new people.
Throughout the summer, there will be plenty of other events, like an upcoming fishing day on June 28 at the Three Forks Ponds and the annual Headwaters Bank Run in August, that provide the opportunity to get out and do something, not to mention the outstanding recreational opportunities and state parks that are just a short drive away.
Of course, the summer in Three Forks would only be complete with the annual Rodeo Dayz celebration, which is the epitome of Small-Town America at its best.
The attendance at the rodeo grows every year, and it is a weekend that brings many former residents back to their hometown.
Along with the rodeo action, many highlights include the parade and class reunions. It is a jam-packed weekend that so many people look forward to.
Throughout the summer, the Three Forks Voice will highlight as many of the upcoming events as possible.
It's cliché to hear in a small town that there is nothing to do, which is often not the case. There will be plenty to do this summer in Three Forks.