[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]A driving downpour did not deter hundreds of folks from attending the 2015 Craig Caddis Festival this weekend and helping support our local Volunteer Fire Dept.
We’d be lying if we said we weren’t concerned about the participation level at 4:00pm. It did not look good. But by 5:00 we were suddenly swamped with folks looking for BBQ, beer and fun.
The live music had to cancel, unfortunately, and the craft vendors had to move to the Fire Hall (old schoolhouse). But in typical Craig fashion, everyone rallied for a good time and a good cause.[/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][us_image image=”11915″ size=”full” link=””][vc_column_text]The festivities kicked of Friday Night this year with the Headhunters Drift Boat Drive In featuring the Montana Fishing Film Festival. In addition to the great movies, free beer and raffle prizes, nearly $700 dollars were raised for the Craig Volunteer Fire Department.[/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][us_image image=”11923″ size=”full” link=””][us_image image=”11922″ size=”full” link=””][us_image image=”11924″ size=”full” link=””][us_image image=”11925″ size=”full” link=””][vc_column_text]Saturdays Parade and BBQ competition proceeded despite driving rain and winds that threatened to deter most people from attending. Mark, Julie and Adair were parade participants, as were others from the Fire Department, Joe’s Craig Bar, Trout Unlimited, some local classic cars and others.[/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][us_image image=”11920″ size=”full” link=””][us_image image=”11921″ size=”full” link=””][us_image image=”11919″ size=”full” link=””][vc_column_text]As usual, the BBQ competition was fierce. Isaak’s, Crosscurrents, the trout shop, Headhunters, Simms, Montana Fly Company, Derek DeYoung, Joe’s, and others provided some great eats.
Max and Braden headed up the Headhunters Grill this year, and came out on top with some fantastic BBQ Chicken thighs and secret sauce. Congratulations on a first place finish!
All of the attendees and grillers were soaked to the bone by evening, but everyone had a great time, and the auction was a resounding success as well.
According to initial numbers, we raised over $15,000 for the Craig Volunteer Fire Department! Thanks to all the BBQ competitors, donors and volunteers for their time and resources. But mostly, thanks to everyone who attended and donated in the worst outdoor festival conditions imaginable![/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][us_image image=”11918″ size=”full” link=””][vc_column_text]Artist Derek DeYoung showing how you have a good time in a driving rainstorm![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Thanks for all or your Team’s work to create a great Caddis Fest! Lots of people putting in Lots of time for a great cause. Getting hundreds of people out in a all day rain storm goes to show how dedicated, the folks who “GET” the Craig experience, are to the greatest little fishing town on the planet!
Thanks a ton for getting the kids involved too! Keeping them full of BBQ S’mores and throwing candy from a moving drift boat makes for life long memories!
Congrats to your whole TEAM on winning the BBQ Competition! The smoked chicken thighs with the “secret sauce” didn’t really have any close competitors. For those of you that missed them, they were worth waiting for in the hypothermic conditions and they stole the show!
Thanks Again!
Your Pal, Jim