By Kathy Cook Hunter
Hang on to your baseball cap, here comes Homer Davenport – as in Homer Davenport Days – Silverton’s three-day celebration of the famous newspaper cartoonist and native son.
Friday, Aug. 1, 12 – 10 p.m.
and Saturday, Sunday,
Aug. 2 and 3, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Coolidge & McClaine Park, Silverton
www.davenportdays.com
Parking at the park is limited.
Space will be available at the
Oregon Garden, Safeway, Roth’s
Family Market, with free shuttle
bus service.
Lennez Hitzemann, president of the festival board, is busy during the final hours before the event, but able now to reveal who will be leader of the hometown parade on Saturday, Aug. 2. The grand marshal will be Marcella Gentzkow, who originally suggested the name for the nearly 30-year-old festival honoring Davenport. Gentzkow, formerly of Silverton, now lives in Mt. Angel.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. downtown, beginning on North Water Street and turning onto Oak Street.
The festival kicks off on Friday, Aug. 1, at noon with vendors manning booths at Coolidge & McClaine Park.
“We have more vendors this year,” Hitzemann said. Silverton Country Historical Society will have an exhibit related to Davenport’s life. At its booth, Silverton Seniors will sell quilt drawing tickets to raise funds for a new senior center, and Prudential Real Estate professionals will offer tickets for a large doghouse to benefit the National Humane Society. On Food Row, professional and civic organization food booths will fill the air with tantalizing smells.
Friday Aug. 1
12 – 2 Gary Buford
2:30 – 4:30 Bill Hughes, Jazz
5 – 6:30 Garry Meziere, Blues
7 – 10 The FlexTones, Rock
Saturday Aug. 2
12 – 2 Glen Hoover, Alternative
2:30 – 4:30 Pound 4 Pound, Funk
5 – 5:30 Silverton High Jazz Band
6 – 7 Fester Read, Blue Grass
7:30 – 10 Tongue-n-Groove
Sunday Aug. 3
12 – 2 Wildfire, Inspirational
2:30 – 5 Triple Creek, Folk/Rock
Music groups will entertain, changing off every two or three hours.
The day’s fun includes a street dance during First Friday, when downtown shops are open late. The deejay-conducted dance will be on East Main Street between Water and First Streets. Silverton Police Reserves will assist with security.
“I wanted to bring it back again,” said Hitzemann. “I thought it would be great for the kids, but it’s for adults, too, and there will be refreshments to buy.”
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2 and 3, brings more to see and do:
Harvest Breakfast by the Lions Club of Silverton at the park pavilion, both mornings.
Homer Classic Walk/Run on Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m., Schlador Street Campus of Silverton High School.
Silverton Flywheels car club will present a classic car show on Saturday on the lawn behind Silverton historical museum on South Water Street.
A contemporary political cartoon contest organized by Tavis Bettoli-Lotten brings entries from all over the world, and you can vote on your favorites.
The Silverton Hospital Auxiliary sells tickets for its annual Ping Pong Ball Float down Silver Creek. The balls go in the creek on Sunday and if yours gets to the finish line first, you win.
GeerCrest Farm will have an open house/tour after the parade Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. A shuttle will pick up and drop off at Coolidge & McClaine Park.
Davenport Races at 1 p.m. Sunday downtown on East Main Street
