Blackfoot Challenge block party thanks community

The Blackfoot Challenge hosted its annual community appreciation event on Aug. 16.

A silent auction, food trucks - Rockstar BBQ and Balsamroot Catering - drinks provided by Trixi's Antler Saloon and the Stray Bullet and music from Tanner Laws and friends made for a jovial mood.

Seth Wilson, executive director of the Blackfoot Challenge, stood on the stage and thanked the Challenge staff, board of directors and various event volunteers and sponsors.

"I just want to thank the community of the watershed, all of our communities, who come out and support our organization and make all the stewardship and conservation happen year in and year out," Wilson said. "We can't do it without you and this is a small way we want to thank you."

Jim Stone, chair of the board of directors for the Blackfoot Challenge, said he spoke to farmers and ranchers across the country and around the world earlier that afternoon and he came away with a common takeaway.

"This is just a special place. You guys all know it...we're just blessed to have something like the Blackfoot Challenge and folks like yourself here," Stone said.

Editor's note: Part of the Pathfinder staff including Jean Pocha, our reporter, Clara Kyrouac, our intern, Chuck Stranahan, our fly fishing columnist, and myself attended the Challenge's event. It was Jean's idea - she said we should have a table, hand out cookies (which she made), offer free notepads and a drawing for a free subscription for a year of the paper (congrats to the Blackfoot Angler!) all of which we did. It was delightful to be there, talk to people and hang out as a staff, and be reminded of the same sentiment the Blackfoot Challenge folks reiterated - this is a special place, and we're all pretty lucky to be here.