This weekend will be the first of some new “old” Frontier Sportsman’s Holiday activities reinstated, notably the Chips ‘n’ Splinters variety show before the coronation Thursday night.
Among new activities, Edgewater RV will host entertainment before the fireworks show at Foster Lake.
“I’m hoping this is going to kick us off bringing a whole lot of things back,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Manager Andrea Culy. She hopes it will stimulate interest in the community into forming committees to return or update old Frontier Sportsman’s Holiday activities.
One such idea under discussion is bathtub races and a lighted boat parade at the lake, she said. “It would be nice to make this the big holiday it used to be in Sweet Home. The Chips ‘n’ Splinters is the start of that.”
She invites people to take up their ideas and get them going.
“This is a community event, not just a chamber event,” Culy said. “If people are passionate about Frontier Sportsman’s Holiday, we’re hoping that they will maybe revive some of the things we had during that weekend. What I’m hearing from the community is how this used to be such a big event it brought the entire community together.”
The chamber will not be actually organizing the return of these activities, she said. “I think the chamber’s role is more about promotion and assistance.”
Wendy Smith, the chaperone for the Frontier Sportsman’s Holiday Court put together the new Chips ‘n’ Splinters program with the court committee, she said. “There’s a lot of passionate people concerned that things are dying. It’s a great time to get involved.”
Frontier Sportsman’s Holiday kicks off at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Sweet Home High School auditorium with the Chips ‘n’ Splinters program. That is followed by the coronation of the Frontier Sportsman’s Holiday queen and a pie social.
The cost is $5 for adults, $3 with the donation of a can of food. Children 12 and younger are free.
East Linn Museum will open its annual yard sale at 9 a.m. on Friday, ending at 4 p.m., 746 Long St. The yard sale runs the same times on Saturday.
The Stick Horse Rodeo is moving to the rodeo grounds and starting half an hour before the main show, 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. The rodeo starts at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Saturday kicks off with an all-you-can-eat Buckaroo Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, 440 Osage St. Cost is $4. For children under 12 it costs $2.
The Fourth Annual Sportsman’s Holiday Mile running event begins at 10 a.m., and the Grand Parade begins at 11 a.m. with its theme “Down on the Farm.” Staging is on 22nd Avenue with judging from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The Working Loggers Olympics begin at 1 p.m. at the Sweet Home Events Center, the rodeo grounds, 4001, Long St.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the city’s Parks Boards is hosting a skateboard rodeo at the skate park, 1900 block of Long Street. Amateur skaters of all ages will be judged in their performances. The event includes live music and food.
Edgewater will hold a celebration starting at 5 p.m.
The Elkettes will provide food, with proceeds going to the Food Pak program.
October Rising and Jobe Woosely will provide music prior to the fireworks display, which begins at dusk.
Sunday’s Gospel Jamboree runs from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Sankey Park, featuring the Knox Brothers, Perry Crocker, Albany’s Joyful Noise Quartet and Tom and Darlene Potter.
The rodeo rounds out the weekend, with its final performance beginning at 2 p.m.