Indiana Olson peaks under the ice shaver to watch his snow cone take shape during last year’s Carlton Fun Days.
Marcus Larson/News-Register file photo

CARLTON — Residents will gather Saturday morning for a new community photo.

The photo will be taken just after the Carlton Fun Days Parade rolls through town. Parade watchers, entrants and other community members will gather at the intersection of Pine and Main streets to smile for the camera.

This is the first Carlton community photo since 1999, when residents gathered at Fun Days for a picture to commemorate the town’s 100th anniversary. An earlier community photo was shot not long after the turn of the 20th century.

This year’s community photo is being done in honor of Oregon’s sesquicentennial. And it’s just one of many activities planned during Fun Days, which runs Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27. Music, food, games, contests and booths also are scheduled during the city’s annual celebration of summer.

The weather promises to be more accommodating this year — last year’s celebration took place on a wilting hot, 102-degree weekend. Weather forecasts call for sunny weather in the high 70s or low 80s this time around.

The whole event has been toned down a little, as well, said Jeremiah Cook, who has been chairman for several years. “We were concerned about the economy. We just wanted it to be a community celebration where people could have fun,” he said.

Activities in Upper City Park will kick off Fun Days on Friday. Carlton Together Cares will sponsor a pulled pork barbecue at 5 p.m. The pool will be open for swimming at 5 p.m.; admission is free. And a free teen dance will run from 7 to 10 p.m.

Saturday morning will start with a fun run and walk. Entrants will meet at 7:15 a.m. at D’Boys Market. The first several entrants will receive free T-shirts.

From 7:30 to 10 a.m., Cub Scout Pack 268 will serve a pancake breakfast in the Carlton Fire Hall.

Led by grand marshals Dr. Mark and Linda Miller, the parade will start at 10 a.m. Anyone is welcome to walk or ride in the event. Entries will stage at Carlton Elementary School, then follow Third and Fifth streets to Main Street and proceed through town.

Grand marshals are Dr. Mark and Linda Miller. He is the local dentist. The couple have lived in Carlton for many years and been active in local events and organizations, including the Carlton Business Association.

The parade is expected to last until about 11 a.m., which is when the community photo is scheduled.

For the rest of the day, Fun Days activities will take place in Wennerberg Park on the banks of the North Yamhill River.

Vendor booths will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Free games for kids, complete with prizes, are scheduled until 5 p.m.
Music on the main stage will include the Pan Gypsies from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and The Mood from 5 to 8 p.m.

For all ages, a horseshoe competition will start at 3:30 p.m. at the park’s horseshoe pits. Little ones can compete in a stick horse rodeo running from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with FFA members as wranglers.

Bingo will be ongoing from noon to 3 p.m. in Shelter 2. A silent auction will be held in the same location from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In Shelter 1, photographers can enter a photo contest. Entries will be on display from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Original BBQ Competition will start at 11 a.m. in the main tent. The American Legion Auxiliary will sponsor the annual chili cook-off in Shelter 2, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, call Cook at 503-939-2946 or send him e-mail at carltonfundays@yahoo.com.