Last week, I had the privilege of creating some signage for the 2010 Fishtail Family Fun Day parade in Fishtail, Montana. The turn around time was pretty ridiculous (created Thursday night, printed Friday morning, picked up by the Unc on his way into town, and paraded around on Saturday!), but it was definitely worth it. Apparently, in part because of my Aunt’s insane marketing skills, the design will be painted all over the town. Whether it is or not doesn’t quite matter to me, I’m just glad I could be part of Fishtail Fun Day from 2,350 miles away. The sign was proudly displayed on the front of the (legally blind) 82 year old Grand Marshall’s four wheeler and carted down Main Street (in the photo above). Classic.

Fishtail has a population of 518 people, thats 1.54 people per square mile). My grandmother is a resident every summer in her cabin, and will be there until my birthday in September. The picture below is of the Fishtail General Store (courtesy of their website) a little after July 4, 1910. That was 100 years ago for those that don’t do numbers. Note: The old Ford sits in front of the store and across the street, a horse is tied to a hitching rail outside Jewett’s Saloon and Dance Hall.

Montana has a place in my heart for many reasons. One is that it is the place where my grandmother and grandfather came from. Two is that it is one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever visit. And three, some of my favorite memories, or what few I have of them (I was cursed, or blessed? with a terrible memory) are there.

Hatchet is going to visit Fishtail at the end of July, and could not be more excited.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 28th, 2010 at 10:49 am and is filed under General, Hatchet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.