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Cause Day: New at Sublimity Harvest Fest

September, 2011 Posted in Community

By Mary Owen

The Sublimity Harvest Festival has a new addition to its lineup this year: Cause Day.

“We’ve invited 15 nonprofits to join us just inside the gate,” said Tammi Burns, co-chair of the Community Outreach Committee of the Sublimity Harvest Festival Foundation. “At the Harvest Festival, a lot of people are involved in a lot of things. We wanted to do something near and dear to our hearts.”

Cause Day takes place on Sunday, Sept. 11 during annual event at the Sublimity Harvest Festival Grounds. Taking part to date are: Liberty House, Marion County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), Marion-Polk Food Share, Canyon Gleaners, Break the Chain: Clothing with a Voice, YWCA Foster Kids, Blue Star Moms, Help the Charities, Relay for Life, Lighthouse Farm Sanctuaries, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America, Family Building Blocks, Willamette Valley Hospice and the Kyron Horman Foundation.

“Kyron’s dad, Kaine, will be there,” Burns said. “Kyron’s picture will be put over the tail lights of the monster trucks.”

Volunteers will be at the festival with wristbands, buttons and T-shirts to bring awareness to the disappearance of the 8-year-old boy who vanished from his Portland school on June 4, 2010. A $50,000 reward is being offered through the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office for information that leads to Kyron.

The tip line number is 503-261-2847.

To encourage festival-goers to participate in Cause Day, the Marion-Polk Food Share will be collecting cans of food at the festival. Those who bring two cans of food will receive $2 off their Sunday general admission ticket.

“We have an all-star lineup, which is pretty exciting,” Burns said. “Where else can you find this many nonprofits in one place, ready to serve you!”

In the spirit of awareness, the Harvest Festival’s monster trucks will aim to crush social causes by crushing a line up of cars, all painted white with causes written on them such as homelessness, cancer, child abuse, child abduction, addictions, domestic violence, terrorism and more.

Joining Captain USA, Obsession, Obsessed and King Krunch are newcomers Double Trouble and Break the Chain Monster, the monster with a voice. The latter is the brainchild of Burn’s Break the Chain Apparel, which aims to increase awareness of domestic violence, bullying and other social issues through its clothing. The truck will be driven by Stayton native, Daron Basl, of El Matador fame.

“Everyone’s so excited to be a part of Cause Day,” Burns said. There are so many causes, and everyone has one. We’ve broadened the scope to incorporate all of these nonprofits to make it exciting for everyone.”

Another new event is the Pit Party. With a little of everything the festival has to offer, the party will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9. Participants will get to meet the drivers and see the monster trucks, ATVs and pulling trucks up close and personal, event organizers said.

“Come and join us!” Burns said.

The Sublimity Harvest Festival began in 1973 with the first tractor pull. Local farmers vied to see whose tractor could pull the most dead weight the farthest as spectators line the sides of the track.

This Sept. 9 – 11, the Festival will celebrate 39 years of tractor pulls, truck pulls and monster truck madness that attracts more than 20,000 visitors each year. The three-day event also features ATV and horse-pulling competitions, a fun run, parade, entertainment tent, Kidzone, live music, and commercial and food vendors.

The Sublimity Fun Run, now in its 33th year, will complement the festivities. Sponsored by the Stayton Road Runner, the run attracts more than 200 runners dedicated to promoting physical fitness in the community. The run/walk begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9 with registration at 8 a.m. at Sublimity Grade School. Entry fees are $10, and proceeds benefit Sublimity Grade School Parent-Teacher Club. All participants receive a free Sunday pass to the Festival.

The Sublimity Harvest Festival Breakfast will be held from 7 a.m. to noon at the Sublimity Fire Hall. The Santiam Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will serve all-you-can-eat pancakes, German sausage, made-to-order eggs, orange juice, milk and coffee. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 60 and older; and $4 for children ages 6-12. All proceeds benefit the SMHA.

The Festival Parade will celebrate all that makes “America the Beautiful,” with judging beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the parade starting at 11. Entry forms are still available, and the entry fee is $10.

Family Day is Sunday, Sept. 11 with the Coors Light entertainment tent open to all ages with scheduled events, vendors and more. The Kidzone will open at 10 a.m. that day, at 5 p.m. Friday and noon on Saturday.
Admission information:

Friday – adults, $12; children 6-12, $6; seniors 62 and older, $10; and children under 6 free. Hours: 5-9 p.m. Entertainment: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Carrie Cunningham and the Six Shooters.

Saturday – adults, $18; children 6-12, $8; seniors 62 and older $16; and children under 6 free. Hours: 12-6 p.m. pulls; 6-9 monster trucks. Entertainment: 2:45-3 TBA; 3-6, Rock N’Roll Cowboys; 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Bad Motor Scooter.

Sunday – adults, $8; children 6-12, $5; seniors 62 and older, $6; and children under 6 free. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entertainment: 1-4 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., Lincoln’s Beard; 4-5 p.m., Matt Baker; 6-7 p.m., background music/karaoke.

Pre-sale tickets for the Friday and Saturday shows are available at Wilco Farm Stores and Wholesale Sports.
Parking is available at on the grounds or at Roth’s, Safeway and the Sublimity Fire Hall, with shuttle service.
For information on any of the events, admission or about the Sublimity Harvest Festival itself, visit www.sublimityharvestfest.org or call the Festival grounds at 503-769-3579.