Color Fun Run & Ride event Aug. 2 at Huckleberry Festival

It's time for the Inland Northwest's favorite fruit to be celebrated in style at Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

The ninth annual Huckleberry Festival will take place on Sunday, Aug. 2, commencing with the legendary huckleberry pancake breakfast.

"We make about 2,000 pancakes and go through roughly 20 gallons of huckleberries," said Brett Mullinder, Schweitzer's banquet chef manager. "It's amazing how quickly they get devoured but honestly, we all know that anything with huckleberries is delicious."

Schweitzer is also adding the Huckleberry Color Fun Run & Ride event to this family-oriented day. "That morning, kids and grown-ups of all ages can participate in a 2.5K or 5K loop on the trails," said Dig Chrismer, Schweitzer's marketing manager. "Along the run, participants will be showered with five different powdered colors. Bikers, hikers, runners, and walkers will have a blast getting huckleberry tie-dyed along the trail."

The Huckleberry Festival's pancake breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Huckleberry Color Run & Ride begins at 10 a.m. Huckleberry arts and crafts, vendors and free live music will be in the Schweitzer village from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. "We will offer guided huckleberry picking hikes and all of our on-mountain activities will be in operation," added Chrismer. "There's something for every member of the family to be excited about."

Early registration for the Huckleberry Color Run & Ride, which includes a commemorative T-shirt, ends on July 26. Late registration is available until 4 p.m. on Aug 1 but will not include the commemorative T-shirt.

Summer operations on the mountain run daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. until Sept. 7.

Information: www.schweitzer.com