Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
The annual Sportsman’s Holiday parade kicked off a little later than scheduled while judges finished their work.
Spectators gathered for the 10 a.m. paraade were a little sparse leading up to the event, but the streets filled rapidly before the parade started.
“The parade this year was a big success,” said Sue Olson of the parade committee. “Een with the time change and waiting for the judging to be completed, all the participants were patient and undersanding. There were so many entries that portrayed the theme of the parade and showed community support. It was awesome to see as they pulled into line and moved down Long Street.”
“It’s getting tougher and tougher in some of the categories,” said Rotarian (and City Manager) Craig Martin, a parade judge.
Making it tough on judges, the parade had more than 70 entries in 11 categories, and the parade is growing while entries are becoming more multi-facted, Olson said.
The Sweet Home Swim Club won the big prize and took home the grand sweepstakes trophy.
The float best represented the theme of the parade, Martin said. “There was obviously a lot of effort put into it, and it was pretty much all made by hand.”
The head of the parade nearly met the tail at the beginning of the parade route at 18th and Long.
The parade was scheduled to start an hour earlier to help beat the heat, Chamber Executive Director Carla Claasen said. The time change was advertised on four radio stations and in three newspapers.
Olson specifically thanked the Rotary Club for judging, the Kiwanis Club for assisting in the lineup and Debbie Olson who was line-up coordinator. She also thanked the Police Department, Public Works and police Sgt. Jason Van Eck for their hard work.
Sportsman’s Holiday fun included a Kiddie Karnival in Mollie’s parking lot after the parade, a crafts bazaar at the high school, a rummage sale at East Linn Museum and a barbecue by East Linn Christian Academy at Thriftway.
The Loggers Olympics got underway at 1 p.m. and wrapped up at about 3:30 p.m. with Rice Logging winning the loggers relay for the third year in a row. Other winners and photos will be listed in next week’s The New Era.
Tabby Trahan and John Peterson guessed the weight of a single-log load cut by Jim Cota of Timber Harvesting, Inc. The log weighed 51,700 pounds and represented 8,610 board feet. It was 8.5 feet in diameter and 32 feet long. Eighty-three people guessed at the weight, and Trahan and Peterson tied with guesses of 52,000 pounds. They each received $50 to go to Los Dos Amigos for dinner.
Brock Crocker won the Sportsman’s Holiday Court 50-50 raffle.
Claasen especially wanted to recognize the parade committee for its work on this year’s parade.
The parade committee, including Olson, Billie Weber and Bill Lewis, is already working on the 2007 parade.
Anyone who wants to be included or add an event to make Sportsman’s Holiday should get hold of the Chamber and the committee, Claasen said.
This year saw the return of the Stick Horse Rodeo, sponsored by the Singing Christmas Tree and held at Sweet Home High School, and it featured a fun run to help raise money for the high school track program. Participants ran the parade route just prior to the parade. It had about 45 participants.
“That was great for a first event,” Claasen said. “And it’s a nice add-on.”
Everyone with ideas should bring them up, organize a committee and get them going, Claasen said. Sportsman’s Holiday could probably have water sports again. “That’s the biggest thing I’ve heard since I came to town.”
“I thought it was nice that Larry Blem was chosen as grand marshal,” Claasen said. “We still put him to work moving this trailer (referring to a covered trailer used to broadcast radio and compile results) down here.”
Blem is usually involved in picking the grand marshal and organizing Sportsman’s Holiday events, Claasen said.
“I thought it was real good, and it didn’t rain again,” Blem said of the parade. He saw “a lot of people shoulder-to-shoulder” as Mary Betts drove him through the parade in a new Ford Thunderbird.
Blem also said Friday night’s rodeo attendance was up, portending a good weekend to follow.
David Kem of the rodeo committee said specific information on attendance would be available next week.
Parade Winners
Grand Sweepstakes: Sweet Home Swim Club
Civic and Fraternal: Squarenaders, first; AmVets float, second; Linn County Democrats, third.
Marching Units: Sweet Home Cheerleaders, first; Huskiettes, second.
Horses and other animal entries: Chafin Farms carriage, first; Three Springs Ranch-Corliss, second.
Commercial: A&W Restaurant, first; Little Promises Day Care, second; State Farm Insurance and Ball Team, third.
Industrial: Vickie Robbins carriage, first; Liberty Rock, second; Kraus Klan family riders, third.
Antique Cars: Doug Friend, 1926 T car, first; Wiley Creek Community, second.
Classic Cars: Marion Fritts, 1951 Chevy, first; Patches and Ginger clown car, second; KGAL/KSHO, third.
Honor Guards and Dignitaries: Linn County Sheriff’s Posse, first; Bob Waibel, second; Rich Rowley, City Council, third.
Religious Groups: Fir Lawn Lutheran Church, first; Holley Christian Church, second.
Youth Groups: B&B Riders, Billie Bjornsen, first; Red, White and Blue Riders, second; Jason Mill Trucking Ball Team, third.
Royalty Courts: Sweet Home Rodeo Queen Brandee Horn, first; Sportsman’s Holiday Court, second; South Santiam Potato Queens, third.
Judge’s Mention: Shriner’s mini-cars.