Bigfork is known as Montana’s Christmas Village and that is why we choose to assist the Bigfork Elves and the Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce when the decision was made to switch to artificial garland. Over the years, garland had become more and more difficult to source. When you require nearly 10,000 feet of it, a reliable supplier is essential. Additionally, the quality of garland was lacking. Due to these reasons, in 2023 the Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce chose to switch to a high grade, commercial, artificial garland. With the cost being nearly four times more than live garland, the Chamber of Commerce asked the CFBB for help. Along with the Box Foundation, the CFBB covered the initial cost recognizing it as an investment in the community. Moving forward, the garland will be rented back to the merchants of Bigfork. This rent back program will create a source of revenue, which has not existed in the past, to continue to grow Bigfork’s reputation as Montana’s Christmas Village.