Second Annual Big Sky Fun Run Offers Many Activities
 | Author:
Nancy Marks, Reporter
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
Second Annual Big Sky Fun Run Offers Many Activities
Nancy Marks
Reporter
Saturday was sunny and crisp, just the sort of day needed to participate in the Many Abilities Fun Run Festival. The event hosted by the Big Sky Autism Project which took place at the Watson Center on Litening Barn Rd., had a good showing for the 5K and 1K runs with 20+ participants but only a few hardy souls for the 8K run earlier in the morning.
Monique Prevel, organizer of the event and Chairperson Kristal Nelson were pleased with the turnout for the 2nd annual fun run and festival of activities and vendors. Volunteers for the Christmas Connection organization were serving giant open-faced tacos. Chairperson Bret Anderson explained this event was their big fundraising event for the year. Their average budget is around $4,500 a year to give toys to children and food baskets at Christmas to those in need. “Many Broadwater County organizations donate to help us, but we feel this is a good way to get our message out to the public,” Bret explained.
Among the several vendors, Animal Tracks was the most spectacular. Christina Wetherall and her mom Leona of Helena started an exotic animal rescue business in 2019. Among their prized rescue is an axolotl, a water salamander that does not go through metamorphosis. Five-year-old Peter Brug was helping explain the various habits of the prehistoric-looking reptile. “He eats worms and snails and doesn’t take his coat off,” Peter remarked.
Other special animals Christina showed was a rattle snake-eating snake from Mexico and twin ferrets. They do not take common pets and exotic pets only in emergencies. Animal Tracks Outreach is an educational show which goes to birthday parties, schools and festivals. “The lockdown during COVID really killed our business, but we have built up business through word of mouth,” she said.
Broadwater County Social Services is the nonprofit umbrella organization for Big Sky Autism as well as for the Christmas Connection. Big Sky Autism serves children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families to improve their lives and to promote awareness, acceptance and inclusion in the greater community. The project serves children with other disabilities and their families as well.
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
