Updated July 30 with four additional bites
Flippin’ Family Fun
Flippin’ Family Fun appears to be temporarily closed.
A reader sent The Electric a photo of the roadway sign being covered with black material and that there was a closed sign on the door.
The business’ Google listing says it’s temporarily closed.
Around 3 p.m. July 30, the voicemail message at the business’ listed number said they were closed and to leave a message.
Flippin’ Family Fun is owned by the Riggin family.
Reese Riggin is currently facing new allegations that he inappropriately touched two sixth graders during an end-of-school-year celebration when he was operating the Flippin’ Family Fun’s climbing wall as a vendor.
Riggin is serving a suspended sentence from a 2016 sexual intercourse without consent conviction.
Riggin denies new allegations during July 23 hearing; fair cancels contract with Flippin’ Family Fun
New mural at 2Js Fresh Market
Samantha Houston is painting a new mural this week on the front of 2Js Fresh Market.
The mural of produce brightens the front of the building and encourages people to shop local, she said.
Houston has painted murals around town, including the bar side of Magpie, inside the Glass Bucket at Magpie, and is working with the restaurant owners for artwork at their new Pony Up location at the old Pit Stop. She’s also painted murals inside Hoikkaido and HUB International.
In August, she’ll be participating in the downtown mural festival.
ArtsFest muralists win national awards
Houston has been offering face painting in town for 12-13 years and last year became co-owner of Sparrows and Arrows tattoo shop.
She’s also done some window painting and live event painting.
Growing up in an artistically talented family, it’s important to her to help get kids involved in art.
Her range of artistic endeavors is “challenging in a great creative way,” she said.
River’s Edge Trail artwork
There’s a fresh splash of color on the River’s Edge Trail this week.
Get Fit Great Falls and volunteers from Peak Health and Wellness Center rolled out new trail stencils at West Bank Park near the boat launcher.
“These fun additions are designed to make the River’s Edge Trail more inviting and encourage even more people to get outside, get active, and enjoy one of our community’s greatest assets,” according to Get Fit Great Falls.
Highway Specialties helped create the custom stencils and donated paint from Sherwin-Williams.
GF Theatre season announcement party
The Great Falls Theatre Company is announcing its 2026-2027 season on Aug. 13.
They’ll celebrate the close of the current season while announcing what’s to come.
Free to attend. Cash bar and light snacks. Bring friends to learn more about GFTC.
The party is 6 p.m. Aug. 13 at 410 Central Ave., upstairs at The Rendezvous Room.
Lions Family Fun Fest
Lions Family Fun Fest is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 8 at Lions Park, next to the Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic and Recreation Center.
The free community carnival features games, bounce houses, face painting, and a bicycle giveaway drawing.
Concessions will be available for purchase.
Volunteers are needed; sign up here.
Updates and more information are available on the Great Falls Lions Club page.
Howard’s Pizza
The downtown Howard’s Pizza will not be reopening after a January fire.
GFFR responds to fire at Howard’s Pizza, apartment complex
“After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision not to reopen that location. This was not a choice we made lightly — that restaurant holds a special place in our hearts and in this community, and we want to sincerely thank every guest who walked through its doors over the years,” Howard’s said on Facebook this week.
Howard’s will be adding dining room space at its southwest location.
Community Concert season tickets on sale
Tickets are on sale now for the Great Falls Community Concert Association’s 98th season, which includes six concerts beginning Sept, 27 through May 8, 2027.
Season tickets are $109 each.
Individual tickets are available for $42.
Tickets are available by calling 406-455-8514 Monday through Wednesday, online here or by visiting the Mansfield Theater box office Monday through Wednesday.
Montana Fish, Willife and Parks events
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 4 is hosting several upcoming events at the state parks in the Great Falls area.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is hosting the annual Mammoth Hunt event at the park Aug. 8-9.
Park visitors can practice with the atlatl, a 10,000-year-old weapon that pre-dates the bow and arrow. The atlatl is a tool that produces extra leverage to aid the hunter in throwing a long, lightweight dart with greater force and accuracy than can be generated by throwing with the arm alone.
Park staff and Jim Ray, who has more than 20 years of experience using and teaching the atlatl will help participants master the skills that the Native American hunters depended upon to feed themselves. Park visitors will also have the chance to shoot primitive bows and arrows and throw tomahawks.
The mammoth hunt event activities are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 8 and 9.
The park and visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
In addition to the mammoth hunt, the popular ranger-led Saturday Jump Talk will occur at its regularly scheduled time of 1 p.m. at the top of the buffalo jump.
All the events are free of charge, and Montana residents are entitled to free daily entrance to the park through payment of vehicle registration fees. Nonresident vehicles must purchase a park pass for entrance to the park.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is located 3.5 miles north of Ulm, just off I-15 at exit 270.
For more information about these events, contact the park at 406-866-2217, or email firstpeoplesbuffalojump@mt.gov.
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Meet the Moths is Aug. 10 beginning at 9 p.m. at Giant Springs State Park.
Participants will assist the state entomologist with the process of “mothing,” using special lights and sheets to attract and observe a wide variety of moth species and other nocturnal insects.
This hands-on event is perfect for nature enthusiasts of all ages.
Bring bug spray, a flashlight, drinking water, and appropriate clothing, and be prepared to stay up a little past bedtime for an unforgettable evening of discovery.
Arrive anytime between 9-11 p.m. and meet at the Giant Springs Ranger Station. There is no registration required to attend.
GFTA hosting its first no-elimination doubles tournament
The Great Falls Tennis Association is hosting its first no-elimination men’s and women’s doubles tennis tournament Aug. 22-23 at the CMR tennis courts.
Every team is guaranteed four matches over the weekend, providing players with plenty of competitive tennis regardless of match results.
Divisions will be offered based on player ability, making the event welcoming for a wide range of skill levels.
City approves court replacement contract; USTA assessed local tennis facilities
Players without a doubles partner are encouraged to register and GFTA will make every effort to match them with a partner of similar ability.
The tournament is open to adults and juniors.
Entry is $35 per player/$70 per team. Registration closes Aug. 19.
Tournament details, registration information, and frequently asked questions are available on the GFTA website.
Chamber hosting luncheon on data centers
The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a luncheon focused on data centers and their impact on the business climate in Great Falls on Sept. 2 at 11:30 a.m. at the University of Providence.
NorthWestern Energy and Vision Net will lead tabletop discussions on what data centers are, the infrastructure needed to support them, and the opportunities and challenges they may create for local businesses and our community.
Proposed data center project off [2025]
The companies sponsored the events so registration is free for chamber members.
During the luncheon, the chamber will open nominations for its annual awards and launch the annual member survey.
Susteen opts not to continue with plans for data center in historic Rainbow Dam powerhouse [2020]
GFC MSU’s new CEO and dean
Great Falls College MSU has named Dr. Leanne Frost as its next CEO and dean after a national search.
For the past 15 years, Frost helped shape the college’s growth, student success initiatives and workforce programs, most recently as the executive director of instruction and student success.
Frost succeeds the retiring CEO and dean, Dr. Stephanie Erdmann, and begins her new role Aug. 2.
Her appointment comes as the college’s enrollment has grown by about 25 percent since 2021 and has greatly expanded workforce training opportunities, such as structural welding, certified nursing assistant, commercial driver’s license and basic flooring installation through the Career and Technical Education-Validated Skills Training department.
GFC MSU has launched partnerships with Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses to help entrepreneurs in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Arizona grow their businesses as the college serves as the Mountain West Hub for the program, and with Berkshire Hathaway Energy Foundation to launch the nation’s first-ever on-campus, simulation-based grid operator training program. The first cohort is expected to start in early 2027.
911 director retires
Karen Young is retiring as director of the Great Falls/Cascade County 911 dispatch center, a position she’s held since 2016.
Young served as a 911 dispatcher for three years before moving to Great Falls in 1987.
She was part of the team when Great Falls and Cascade County implemented 911 services in 1990 and became a center supervisor in 1996, according to the city.
Great Falls officials estimate she’s answered more than 80,000 calls for service through her career at the dispatch center.
The city will begin the hiring process for a new director soon.
In the meantime, the center’s deputy director, Kelly Johanneck, will serve as interim director.
Westside Montana Lil’s
The westside Montana Lil’s, at the site of the former Best Wok, has opened.
We’ve been reporting on the project since 2024.
Town Pump demolished the old Best Wok and built a new casino, liquor store and lounge, named Bridger Lounge at 1525 3rd St. N.W.
In 2024, City Commissioners approved a rezone of the property from M-2 mixed-use transitional to C-2 general commercial.
Business Bites: “Does anybody know what’s being built…?”
The land use of a casino isn’t allowed in the M-2 zoning, which is why the company requested the zone change for their planned project.
The westside Best Wok was established in 2016, and before that, it was the New Peking restaurant, with a lounge, casino and liquor sales, according to city staff reports.
At that time, each use was considered legal nonconforming as they were established on the property before current zoning regulations. According to city code, if a nonconforming use ceases for any reason for more than 24 months, any subsequent use shall conform with the code, according to the staff report.
City Commission set to consider former west side Best Wok rezone [2024]
Since the previous uses of a lounge, casino and liquor sales hadn’t occurred on the site for more than 24 months, the project required a zone change to continue those uses, according to city staff.
Malmstrom contract
The 341st Contracting Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base has awarded a contract for the Bldg. 630 HVAC repair project to Wadsworth Builders Co. Inc, of 4601 2nd Ave. N. for $949,000. The period of performance for this award is 120 days from notice to proceed.
TDS donation
TDS Telecommunications LLC recently made a $10,000 donation to the Great Falls Area Community Foundation. This contribution will support the foundation’s mission to provide opportunities for visionary philanthropy to the Great Falls area by connecting people who care with causes that matter now and far into the future. TDS associates recently visited foundation board members to present the donation.
Wallace Elks Drum and Bugle Corps Returns Home with a Historic Gift
The Wallace Elks Drum and Bugle Corps performed at the Montana State Elks Convention in Great Falls earlier this month.
For many years, the Great Falls Elks Lodge sponsored its own Drum and Bugle Corps.
That corps disbanded and the lodge retained its large collection of instruments.
The Wallace Corps reached out to Great Falls and proposed a trade — a performance in exchange for the instruments. The board of directors agreed.
The Wallace Corps is currently welcoming new members and expanding its ranks.
The additional instruments will allow more musicians to join while ensuring the corps can sustain its proud tradition.
The Wallace Elks Drum and Bugle Corps traces its history back at least to 1921, the date of the oldest known photograph of the group.
It’s believed to be the last continuously active Elks-sponsored Drum and Bugle Corps in the U.S.
Emilie Center runs on donations, volunteers
The Emilie Center provides essentials to those in need in Great Falls, free of charge, at 1920 10th Ave. S.
In 2025 , the Emilie Center assisted 2,764 individuals, distributing $182,443 worth of clothing, baby items, household goods, furniture, hygiene products, and bedding.
Over the past decade, the center has supported more than 16,600 people and distributed $1.1 million in goods—all donated by the surrounding communities, businesses, and civic groups.
Monthly, more than 200 families are served, according to the center, which operates with volunteers and donations.
More than 40 volunteers contributed 4,493 hours last year, a labor value of over $67,000.
Vouchers are distributed through 50 local partnerships with groups like Opportunities Inc.,
Job Service, Alluvion, Great Falls Rescue Mission, hospitals, schools and churches.
When the Emilie Center receives excess inventory, it passes it along to other local agencies, including St. Vincent de Paul, the Soup Kitchen, the Angel Room, Toby’s House Crisis Nursery,
and the VFW.
The center recently installed a new air conditioner, building lighting and a new back door through grants from the Gianforte Family Grant and Town Pump, but must raise $25,000 annually to cover operating expenses.
How the community can help:
Donate:
- non-perishable food can be dropped off at Holy Spirit Parish, 201 44th St. S.
- Emilie Center accepts clothing, baby items, furniture, and household goods. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- financial contributions: tax-deductible cash donations can be mailed to: Emilie Center, P.O. Box 141, Great Falls, MT 59403
Volunteer:
- time and talents are needed to sort donations, assist clients, deliver food, or serve on boards
- Contact the Emilie Center at 406-771-6695 or St. Jude at 406-788-2291
August activities at Missouri River Breaks
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