Scott Swanson
Yes, there is going to be a Grand Parade and yes, there’s room for you.
That’s the message the Parade Committee has been communicating during the last week, via word of mouth and social media, after a slow start to registrations for the event, which will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13.
“We had about 20 entries at the beginning of the week (July 1), said Sue Olson of the parade organizing committee. She said last year there were more than 70 and she attributed the slow start to confusion over themes and questions about whether the parade had gotten its operating permit.
The parade theme is “A Night at the Drive-In,” which differs from the theme selected for the Sportsman’s Holiday Court and Chips ’n’ Splinters: “A Night at the Oscars.”
Olson said a communication error delayed the operating permit, but the parade is ready to roll.
“We’re hoping to get a big outpouring of entries,” she said. “We’re just trying to get the word out.”
Parade entry forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, 1575 Main Street. First- through third-place ribbons will be awarded in 12 divisions. A Sweepstakes Award trophy will also be presented to the entry that best represents the parade theme. Also to be awarded is the Parade Committee’s Choice Award.
Sportsman’s Holiday will begin Friday night with the Sportsman’s Holiday Queen Coronation event at 7:30 p.m. at the Sweet Home High School auditorium.
This year’s Sportsman’s Holiday Court members are Haley Hawkins, Hannah Mather, Alex Olin, Brittany Poteet and Briana Warth.
The event also includes the revived Chips ’n’ Splinters talent show, which will include performances by Brandi Vinson, winner of the most recent Veterans Club karaoke contest (see page 6), former Sweet Home Singing Christmas Tree Director David Dominy and others.
“The talent is going to be phenomenal,” said Shirley Austin, who is directing this year’s show. “With it being “A Night at the Oscars,” we want people to dress up like they’re going to the Oscars. I’m just really excited about it.”
Austin, a 1970 Sweet Home High School graduate, is new to Chips ’n’ Splinters as a director, but she said she remembers the productions during her childhood well.
“We just want to make it back to what it used to be, an important part of the holiday,” she said.
In addition to the performances, organizers have lined up several local restaurants to provide food for an After Party, in the Oscars theme, which will be held in the courtyard outside the auditorium.
“I’m just really excited about this show,” Austin said. “We’ve got some great girls and some really good talent.”
Admission is free, although a donation of canned food items is greatly appreciated.
The Singing Christmas Tree Arts and Crafts Show will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by a Sportsman’s Holiday Mile at about 10:15 – depending on when police finish shutting down the streets for the parade. The race, which is open to both walkers and runners, and costs $10, which will go to the Sweet Home High School cross-country and track programs, will follow the parade route, starting and finishing at the high school.
Organizer Andrew Allen said the distance makes it an event most people can participate in.
“It’s one mile and you can do it as a full sprint or a nice stroll through downtown,” he said. “You can do it as a competitor or competing against yourself. It’s not long.”
Immediately following the parade, at 11 a.m., the New Horizons band of Corvallis will present a short concert at the entrance to the Sweet Home High School.
The Loggers Olympics will be held at 1 p.m. in the old rodeo arena, where the venue has been relocated.
Organizer Jane Moran encouraged Loggers Olympics participants to get there early to sign in because the pace of the event is going to pick up this year, she said.
“We’re running four choker setters at a time instead of two and we’re going to be doing all three axe throws at a time. We’re going to double up everything except the actual relay race.
“We’re trying to cut down the time by a lot. Plus, that day is (Event Director) Milt (Moran’s) 60th birthday.”
Following that event will be a lawnmower/tractor pull, which will also be held in the same location, at 4 p.m.
The annual traditional fireworks display at Foster Dam will begin at dusk.
Another annual tradition, the Gospel Jamboree in Sankey Park, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, featuring the Knox Brothers, Cornerstone, the Potters and Perry Crocker. It is free.
For more information on each of these events and others, see the Sportsman’s Holiday Program published in today’s newspaper or contact the Chamber of Commerce at (541) 367-5168.
For information on the Arts and Crafts Show, call (541) 367-4639.