By Mary Owen
This year’s SummerFest marks 24 years of festivities for the community.
The popular annual event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, along Third Avenue in historic downtown Stayton.
“As downtown Stayton continues to grow and expand the number of unique quality businesses there, this is a fun way to show off that area and promote our local businesses, community organizations, and regional partners, while providing the community-at-large with a full day of Good. Family. Fun.,” said Carmélle Bielenberg, president/CEO and event coordinator of the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce. “It’s our way of giving back to the community we serve.”
In the tradition of good family fun, Bielenberg said this year’s event has “a little something for everyone!”
New to the event this year, the Chamber will give away a Summer Adventure Prize Package that promises to kick summer camping and outdoor experiences into high gear. Prize drawing tickets will be available beginning July 15 online and continue to be sold through the end of the month, $5 each or six for $25. Tickets can be purchased the day of the event, along with fun local merchandise in the Chamber Information Booth at the event.
SummerFest began as a vendor street fair and continues to boast over 100-plus vendors annually showcasing arts and crafts, produce, community resources, retail products and services, and local businesses and community organizations. The street fair opens at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m.
The Stayton SummerFest Car Show takes place 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pioneer Park, Seventh and Marion. Car show registration starts at 7 a.m. Vintage, classic, antique, specialty, hot rods, street rods, and muscle cars will be on display. Stro’s Photography is the sponsor of the event to benefit the Brent Strohmeyer Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Santiam Hospital will sponsor the Family Fun Zone, dedicated to kid-friendly vendors and activities, including a bouncy house and face painting. North Santiam Youth Athletics has partnered with the Chamber to bring back the popular 3-on-3 basketball tournament after several years hiatus from the festival.
“We are working on some fun water activities in the afternoon to keep attendees cool and attempt to engage the teen crowd in addition to the younger festival-goers,” Bielenberg said.
Rounding out the day’s activities are a children’s parade at 11 a.m.; a pet event in the Dog Park; law-enforcement donut-eating contest, and at 3 p.m. a Cruise Out from Pioneer Park and the ever-popular Rotary Ducky Derby downtown.
A full day of live entertainment will take place on the Main Stage, which has been relocated, along with the beer garden, to the city parking lot on the corner of Florence and Third. Visitors can enjoy a variety of local food vendors, brews provided by Wolfgang’s Thirst Parlor & Tap House, backyard games, and a great line up of musicians including the local Sean Paul, New Zealand’s own Erin-Cole Baker, and Salem-area performer Jay Lawson. Closing out the day is an After-Party from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with country pop sensation, Briana Renea.
“This is a perfect way for vendors and community members to kick-back and relax after an exciting day of activities,” Bielenberg said.
A special thanks goes to SummerFest’s entertainment sponsors: Pacific Power, Republic Services, SCTC, and Young Mobile Entertainment.
“This event would not be possible without the numerous local businesses that serve as sponsors to help finance this annual, family-friendly event,” said Bielenberg. “We are wholly grateful for those that provide resources as well as those who volunteer their time and energy to make the festival a success!”
SummerFest’s title sponsor, MaPS Credit Union recently entered into a three-year commitment to partner with SSCOC to support and enhance the long-standing community event. The Chamber produces the event as an extension of its mission to improve economic vitality and community livability for the local business members and areas it serves.
“As usual, transportation will be provided between the Car Show in Pioneer Park and the downtown festival events on Third Avenue to ensure festival goers can enjoy everything this even has to offer,” said Bielenberg.
For more event details, vendor application (due by July 12), 3-on-3 Tournament or Car Show registration contact the Chamber Regional Visitor Center at 503-769-3464, by email at info@staytonsublimitychamber.org, or stop into the Chamber office at 175 E. High St. in Stayton. Information can also be found on the SSCOC Facebook page.
