Sportsman’s Holiday began in earnest with Saturday morning’s annual parade.
Residents and visitors flocked to the sidewalks on Long and Main Street to take in local creations of “Patriotic Pride.”
The grand sweepstakes winner was Three Branches of the Military, Sweet Home Americans for Patriotism, representing the theme of the parade the best.
The parade had 57 pre-registered entries with a few more arriving Saturday, Larry Blem said.
“We looked good,” Judge Joel Keesecker said of the parade.
“We’re loving it,” Chris Sipe of Sweet Home said. “The kids are loving it.”
Her son was on the McCullom Logging baseball team float. She took in the parade before heading to Thriftway where she helped in East Linn Christian Academy’s annual fund-raising barbecue. By Saturday evening, the group had sold about 1,000 chicken lunches.
“We are so lucky to have so much patriotism in Sweet Home,” Sipe said. She also thought Pat and Ival McCullom should be recognized for their contributions to the community.
“They have given so much to our community,” Sipe said. They support sports “and the community in general.”
Tim Bennett, 12, of Amity was visiting Sweet Home.
“I think the parade’s a lot of fun,” Bennett said. He always comes out for the parade, but he has never been in it living in Amity. “I wish I could. It’d be the most fun ever.”
His favorite entry was the Shriners racing their go-carts.
Bennett always visits during the summer, his grandmother, Joy Fraley said. After the parade, they catch the Loggers Olympics depending on how hot it gets and the fireworks display at night.
Tonya Bailey with her new business, Something Simple, was in front of Les Schwab selling tie-dyed shirts. After the parade, she moved to the Christmas in July bazaar. She sells tie-dyed shirts, pillow cases, sheets and anything else that can be tie-dyed.
Though she didn’t sell anything during the parade, she enjoyed watching, and people enjoyed looking at her products.
“I think it’s really gotten better,” Bailey said. “Sweet Home’s a growing town.”
She had a hard time picking out what she thought was the best parade entry.
“There are so many,” Bailey said. “But I’m actually partial to the bagpipes, so when they came by — they didn’t have bagpipes, but they had kilts and stuff.… I like all the America support.”
Next, Bailey plans to be at the Oregon Jamboree.
After the parade, the crowd disbursed to the Kiddie Carnival, the Show ‘n’ Shine truck show and swap meet and the Loggers Olympics.
Parade winners included the following:
– Grand Sweepstakes: Three Branches of the Military, Sweet Home Americans for Patriotism.
– Honor Guard: Linn County Sheriff’s Posse, first; VFW, second; Charles Gibbs, surveyor, third.
– Clowns and Individuals: SHHS cheerleaders, first; 1947 Ford Tractor, second; Red Hat Society, third.
– Youth Groups: McCullom Logging, first; Totman Trucking, second; Girl Scout Troop 186.
– Courts: Calapooia Roundup Rodeo Court, first; Sportsman’s Holiday Court, second; Lebanon Strawberry Festival Court, third.
– Civic and Fraternal Organizations: Linn-Benton Korean War Veterans, first; Oregon Jamboree, second; Squarenaders, third.
– Commercial: A&W, first; State Farm, second; Jim Cota, three-log load, third.
– Religious: Little Promises, first; First Sunday Praise, Holley Christian Church, second; Christian Motorcycle Association, third.
– Antique Cars: Wiley Creek Community, 1920s pickup, first; Glen Evanhus, 1933 Model A, second; Doug Friend, Model A Sedan.
– Classic Cars: Orange Chevelle, Bob Ikola, Sweet Home Motors, first.
– Horses with riders 13 and up: Santiam Saddle Club of Sweet Home, first; Barbara Wilson, second; Wanda Parson, third.
– Riders 12 and under: Top Spot Riders, first in group. Malachi Fisher, first in individual. Country ?, first in pairs.
– Carts: Country ?, first.