Sportsman’s Holiday activities kick off Thursday evening at the Sweet Home Elks Lodge with the Queen’s Coronation.
The coronation is at the Sweet Home Elks Lodge, 440 Osage St. Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. and costs $15. The coronation ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased from any of the six princesses – Tori Clark, Eleanor Hewitt, Brittany Nicholson, Megan Oberg, Sierra Swanson and McKenzie Yoder – or through the Chamber of Commerce, 1575 Main St., (541) 367-6186.
The coronation kicks off a busy Sportsman’s Holiday this year.
“We filled up the weekend a little bit,” said Chamber Executive Director Katrina Crabtree. “I’m very excited we were able to extend the weekend and do something with it.”
The annual Chips ’n’ Splinters show begins at 7 p.m. Friday, July 8, in the Sweet Home High School auditorium. A dinner will be served at 5 p.m. and costs $6 with one side dish, $8 for two, $2 for root beer floats and $3 for a hot dog and chips. Admission to the show is $5. Proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Club.
At 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, the Rotary Club will host a “chainsaw breakfast” in the parking lot behind the Rio Theater. Cost is $5 for ham, scrambled eggs and juice, with coffee for $1.
Before and following the parade, chainsaw carving will take place, also in the parking lot behind the Rio Theater, featuring three sculptors who will carve Northwest wildlife. Their handiwork may be mounted for display locally, possibly by local businesses, or auctioned. Money from the sales would help fund the chainsaw event next year.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. downtown on Main and Long streets between 22nd and 10th avenues.
The parade time has moved to accommodate the new events, Crabtree said. “In order to make more of a weekend, things have to flex.”
At 1 p.m. is the traditional annual Logger Olympics at the Sweet Home Events Center, 4000 block of Long Street.
Fireworks begin at Foster Lake at dusk.
At 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 10, Horse Play Day equestrian events begin at the Outdoor Events Center. The event will feature barrel racing, pole bending, flags, birangle and four other competitive horse events. Participation costs $35. Admission is free for spectators.
For more information, contact the the Chamber of Commerce at 1575 Main St. or (541) 367-6186; or event organizer Kimberley Brock, (541) 367-2015.
The chamber and horse play day event are both still seeking volunteers to serve as parade marshals and to help out at the play day event.
The Sweet Home Elks will serve breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. July 9-10.
Several bazaars and sales will be in operation during the weekend. For more information, consult The New Era’s 2016 Sportsman’s Holiday Program in this issue.