Whether you attend the parade, davenport races, chicken barbecue or GeerCrest Farm during the 29th annual Homer Davenport Days Festival, take a moment to reflect how cool it is to live in or visit Silverton.
Almost everywhere you look, you’ll see what caused Silverton to be voted as one of the “Top Ten Coolest Small Towns in America” by Budget Travel.
“What makes Silverton one of the coolest towns in America is we have a real sense of community here,” said board member Cate Tennyson. “Nothing compares to Silverton.”
Homer Davenport Days is a way for Silverton residents to celebrate what makes the community as well as celebrate one of its hometown heroes – internationally recognized political cartoonist Homer Davenport – who regardless of how far he traveled, always felt Silverton was home.
Aug. 7-9, downtown Silverton,
Coolidge & McClaine Park
Parade, Davenport races, car show,
live entertainment, craft booths and more.
Visit www.davenportdays.com for schedule.
GEERCREST FARM
Aug. 8-9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 12390 Sunnyview Road NE
Free shuttle to farm from Coolidge & McClaine Park
Travel back in time to1850 by visiting the farm.
Visit www.geercrest.org for schedule
Homer Davenport Days is Friday, Aug. 7, Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday, Aug. 9 in Coolidge & McClaine Park, 300 Coolidge St.
From morning to night, there is something to do. The weekend mornings start off at 7 a.m. with breakfast prepared by the Silverton Lions Club, followed by a chicken barbecue for lunch or dinner made by Homer volunteers.
Those who prefer a morning run or walk can join local in the Homer’s Classic Run/Walk. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. Aug. 8 with the race/walk starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Silverton high school track, 802 Schlador St. The proceeds from the run benefit the running programs at Silverton and Kennedy high schools.
Silverton Flywheels hosts its classic car show at Old Mill Park, just across the bridge from Coolidge & McClaine, Saturday.
The parade theme for the 29th annual Homer Davenport Days is the “Coolest Small Town.” Silverton Mayor Stu Rasmussen is the grand marshal. The parade travels through downtown beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. Anyone can participate. Visit www.davenportdays.com to fill out a registration form.
Born in the Waldo Hills region south of Silverton on March 8, 1867, Davenport was raised at GeerCrest Farm, his mother’s family homestead. He rose to fame as an internationally renowned editorial cartoonist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, working for William Randolph Hearst’s newspapers. His book, The Country Boy, describes life in early Silverton and is available through Powell’s Books in Portland.
GeerCrest Farm will be open to the public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 8-9 with free shuttle service to and from the park. There will be exhibits depicting life in 1850 including wool processing, music and tales, and fresh berries and cream. Owners of Davenport Arabians are once again gathering at the farm with their horses to tell the tale of how Homer brought Bedouin horses to America.
The Davenport Races begin at noon on Sunday, Aug. 9. Racers convert sofas or couches into team-propelled vehicles for a 250 feet sprint down Silverton’s Main Street. A cool festival for all.
