Sweet Home’s annual Sportsman’s Holiday will take place this week, with a vast slate of activities planned.
“Sportsman’s Holiday is a fun small-town tradition that brings the community together to celebrate camaraderie, talent, and the spirit of adventure,” Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lagea Mull said. “With a great lineup of events and activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy throughout the weekend.”
Festivities kick off at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 6, with the Sportsman’s Holiday Queen’s coronation at the Community Chapel, 42250 Ames Creek Road. Six princesses comprise this year’s court: Madison Duncan, Abby Hogan, Rylee Markell, Abby Olsen, Aytra Waggoner and Lydia Wright.
The fifth annual Cut the Gut car cruise runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 7. Participants will embark on a drive through 24 checkpoints, including a burnout pit, as they vie for the opportunity to win 25 raffle prizes valued at $100 or more. All street-legal vehicles can join the cruise, which covers the length of Sweet Home, from New Flo Plumbing to The Point Restaurant. Cruisers can register at CutTheGutCruise.com.
Saturday, July 8, opens with the Sportsman’s Holiday Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, 440 Osage St. Breakfast is $8, half price for kids 12 and under.
The Sweet Home Community Yard Sale takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at various locations. Community members interested in listing their sales on the map can sign up at sweethomechamber.com or call (541) 367-6186.
The Sweet Home Community Singing Christmas Tree’s Arts and Crafts Fair runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of Sweet Home High School, 1641 Long St. It will feature a variety of vendors and local artisans.
The Sportsman’s Holiday Parade will take place at 11 a.m., running westward on Main Street and eastward on Long between 22nd and 10th avenues. This year’s parade theme is “Welcome to Wonderland.” Participants can register for $10 and showcase their “Alice in Wonderland” scenes.
The Logger Olympics follows at 1 p.m. at the Sweet Home Event Center, 4001 Long St. Loggers will compete in various events, including obstacle pole-bucking, pole-climbing, choker-setting and the Working Logger Relay.
Saturday evening’s activities begin with the Chips ‘n’ Splinters variety show at 7 p.m. on the west side of the Bi-Mart parking lot, 1980 Main St. Tweedledum and Tweedledee (Wendi Melcher and Heather Search) will host the family-friendly show, which includes performances with such timeless characters as Alice, Ariel, Ursula, Tatiana, and the dwarves, among others. Spectators are encouraged to bring chairs and picnic supplies, then stick around for a great view of the Sportsman’s Holiday Fireworks Show, which will take place at Quarry Park, 3101 Zelkova St., on the north end of Clark Mill Road.
The Sweet Home Rotary Club offers parking for $10 per vehicle, and visitors can enjoy kettle corn, cotton candy and water available for purchase. Proceeds go toward funding local scholarships. Gates open at 7 p.m.
Linn Shuttle will also operate free shuttle services to the park from the Sweet Home Community Center, 880 18th Ave., beginning at 8 p.m.
For further information, including event registration and updates, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (541) 367-6186, [email protected] or http://www.sweethomechamber.com.