Published 8/20/08

Town celebrates 100 year
anniversary with parade, run,
wind farm tours and more

The sleepy little town of Judith Gap, population 150, nestled in between the Snowies and Little Belts, was awakened on Saturday with a buzz of people and activities.

The Gap, as most natives refer to it, marked a major milestone last weekend when it celebrated its 100-year anniversary in Central Montana. The postal charter was given to George Haynes in August of 1908.

Over 500 people came from all over the world to take part in the festivities and see that the Gap really knows how to throw a party.

The activities to honor the milestone began on Saturday morning with a free breakfast of pancakes and sausage hosted by the Judith Gap Oil, followed by a 1K and 5K run/walk and poker run.

For lunch the Judith Gap Mercantile served a wonderful Dutch oven meal consisting of chicken, BBQ chicken, beef, BBQ beef, beans and cheesy potatoes. Randy Chanler of Pocatello, Idaho, did the cooking and served over 300 people.

At 10 a.m. on Saturday people started lining the highway through town in anticipation for the parade, which started at 11 a.m. and lasted for 45 minutes backing traffic up for two miles on both sides of Judith Gap. One highlight of the parade was the Shrine Black Horse Patrol.

The afternoon was filled with just as many activities as the morning, with a slideshow and music by the Snowy Mountain Four, who haven’t played together since 1970s. The Snowy Mountain Four were Jeff and Chuck Volf and Ron and Randy Brook. A style show featured several outfits from 1930s on. Most of the outfits were Jo Volf’s of Judith Gap. Ray’s Sport and Western Wear followed with a style show of their own clothes.

Paula Burnham of Old Time Photos was on hand to take pictures in the old Judith Gap jail, which was built in 1909 and is still standing.

A dinner of pulled pork, BBQ sauce, beans and cake was served following the style show. According to Tim Mauws, Judith Gap Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief, 475 people were served at the dinner.

All the money raised went to the Volunteer Fire Department.

The evening concluded with two street dances featuring Ron Miller at the Bar 100 and Three Wheel Drive at the Hitching Post.

An interdenominational church service was held on Sunday morning followed by the dedication of Hess Park and a breakfast hosted by the American Legion.

There were several families honored over the weekend including the Volf family, Conroy/Johnston family, Brewington family and the Hess family, many of whom are still active in the community.