Sean C. Morgan
The annual Mudfest had a little something for everyone Saturday.
Rain through Thursday night and early Friday morning meant the ground was good and soggy.
“We had more water down to the time, so it’s slicker,” said Justin Welch of Sweet Home. It wasn’t as tacky as it has been the past two years in the pasture setting a little west of Holley, off Highway 228, which is owned by his uncle. “It’s a challenge. As far as mudfests go, you can’t ask for anything better.”
Even the kids can find plenty to do, he said, gesturing at a young boy and his toy trucks covered in mud.
Welch was able to take Kirsten Morehead, 12, of Sweet Home on her first trip through the mud for her birthday. It’s a good, fun family-oriented event, he said.
“I like it,” Kirsten said. “It’s muddy.”
And she was happy because she has heard about it all her life, she said, and “they finally let me go.”
She liked driving fast, but the best part was “all the mud flying.”
Kirsten rode with Welch in a Jeep with a small-block Chevy engine, Dana 60s in front and rear and 44s on the wheels.
The mud was like peanut butter in some areas and soupy in others, said Randy Peltier of Salem, who has been attending since it was held on Foster Lake. There was something for everyone who wanted to have fun.
Ryan Hausmann of Albany was having so much fun, his rig caught fire.
“It just went ‘woof.’ right up inside,” said passenger Sean Knowles of Albany. “We were just bombing around. Next thing you know, ‘boom.’”
“It was slow-motion scary,” said the second passenger Kristen Dorgan of Albany.”
She got out, and then she got scared, she said.
Ben Dahlenburg and Gina Riley reported that business was good at the Kiwanis booth, which sells food to the 1,500 drivers and spectators.
Dahlenburg thought things seemed better organized this year, he said. The line was off the road by 9 a.m.; it usually takes till about 10 a.m.
“It’s fun to watch the first two guys or three,” Dahlenburg said. “They want to be the first ones across the field.”
Mudfest volunteers assist drivers stuck in the mud.