September 8 – The Parade of Homes is back, showcasing the region’s finest craftsmanship in a series of 10 beautiful homes ranging from starter homes to dream villas.
According to Rocheal Gaston, chair of the Parade of Homes committee, the event has been held in the valley for 20 years, but has been on hold for four years due to the pandemic.
This year, the Parade of Homes, organized by the Flathead Building Association, will take place on September 13 and 14. Tickets can be purchased at the event or at area businesses.
According to Gaston, this year’s event is better than ever, with the added bonus of a VIP bus tour on Friday evening, where participants can tour a number of homes before heading to the awards ceremony, with plenty of food and drink included.
“They get to see a house in each category, so they get a good idea of what’s out there. After the bus tour, we’ll have a big party and award prizes to the builders,” Gaston said.
The Parade of Homes features cutting-edge trends in cabinetry, finishes, flooring and technology. Mark Freidline, executive director of the Flathead Building Association, said that normally only homes built in the past year are eligible to participate, but since the event has been suspended since 2019, homes built in the past two years are also included.
“These are newer homes and some of them are still under construction right now. They are being delivered according to the deadlines. [Builders] are working on the finishing touches and staging. They are super excited to show the great work they are doing,” Freidline said.
There are a wide variety of categories, ranging from more attainable homes to dream homes. Freidline said there are production builders who pre-sell homes with a set floor plan. Often, builders use the event to showcase a new floor plan they’re offering, while others use it to showcase custom work.
By seeing the wide variety of floors, cabinets and more, visitors to the Parade can better determine who they want to contract with for work on their home.
“[The builders] “They’re all so good at what they do, they can all do it, right? But some are really good at modern, some are really good at traditional, and some are into remodeling,” Gaston said. “So it’s not a bunch of builders doing the same thing, which I appreciate.”
It also offers people the chance to view the biggest and best homes in the Flathead Valley.
Construction Group Montana’s Overlook home measures over 5,000 square feet and is listed for sale for $2.5 million. Located in Lakeside, it’s a classic Montana country home with a warm wood exterior and a covered back deck that overlooks Flathead Lake and the Swan Mountain Range. Attendees will have the chance to tour this four-bedroom, four-bathroom home with a three-car garage and an abundance of gorgeous views.
Another mansion on display in the Parade is Hollman Hideaway, built by Malmquist Construction on Big Mountain, where it sits atop the Elk Highlands and Northern Lights development. It is the highest home above sea level in the Flathead Valley, according to the builder.
This contemporary modern home was designed with entertaining in mind, and its high, marble-like walls frame the mountains outside. It is over 10,000 square feet in size and has five bedrooms and six and a half bathrooms. It is listed for $8.5 million.
“It’s really going to showcase some amazing technology, furnishings and design features that people are going to love. When they walk in here, they’re going to be amazed, because they may never see a home like this again,” Freidline said.
But Gaston said it’s not just about the fancy properties: many people find a house or a contractor through the Parade.
“No matter what category they fall into, the craftsmanship of the builders who build homes is just amazing. They take pride in what they do, they care about what they do, and it really shows on every level of the home — and at every price point,” Gaston said.
Freidline said the event would not be possible without the support of many sponsors, including Stockman Bank, Sliters Lumber and Building Supply, Whitefish Credit Union and Wintrust Mortgage, among many others.
“We have over 20 different sponsors that have all come out to make sure this event goes great, and they’ve also helped subsidize it for the public,” Freidline said. “So, you know that VIP bus tour would be worth over $100, with all the drinks and food on the bus and at the awards ceremony, but because of the sponsorship, we were able to bring it down to $65.”
Last week, VIP tickets for the bus tour and awards ceremony were nearly sold out. Tickets for both days can be purchased in advance at all Super1, Stockman Bank, Sliters Lumber and Building Supply, Glacier Banks and Three Rivers Bank locations, among others. For a full list of locations and the option to purchase tickets online, visit www.buildingflathead.com/parade-of-homes/
The Parade of Homes 2024 magazine can also be downloaded from the organization’s website, where you can find more information about this year’s homes and their builders.
The daytime event on September 14th will run from 10am to 6pm. Tickets are available in advance for $15 and on the day of the event at your home for $20.
Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4433 or by emailing tinman@dailyinterlake.com.
Malmquist Construction will showcase the “Hollman Hideaway” home in Whitefish during the 2024 Flathead Building Association’s Parade of Homes. (Photo courtesy)
Northwest Montana Builders will showcase “The Wyatt” home in Lakeside during the 2024 Flathead Building Association’s Parade of Homes. (Photo provided)
