Vernonia’s signature summer event has come and gone, as people flocked to the small logging town to enjoy the hullabaloo of the annual Vernonia Friendship Jamboree and Logging Show.
The logging show has been around since 1956, and though it is steeped in traditions, this was Jamboree Board President Roby Brewer’s first go as one of the organizers.
“It went really well. We had more craft vendors than we’ve had in several years. We had 75 vendors. We had a bike show that brought out almost 100 bikes, we did the logging show which brought more people on Sunday,” Brewer said.
The event started on Aug. 2, with the new additions of mutton busting (aspiring rodeo kids riding sheep), and the concert that night. According to Brewer, the weekend was a great success. Brewer said he estimated there were about 8,000 people who visited throughout the festival.
“It actually went more than our expectations, so there were probably more people than that in town,” Brewer said. “The Mayor, Rick Hobart, told me this is more people than he’s seen in town for eight or nine years.”
Brewer said that as a first-year organizer, he was “floored” by the turnout at the event. He didn’t know what to expect for the turnout, but the participation came from around Oregon, and even out of the state.
“We’re a little town up in the foothills of the Coast Range basically, and I had vendors from Florida, from Prineville, OR, I had vendors from Eugene,” Brewer said. “They all came here for this little event that’s becoming a large event.”
A huge thank you was given to Bighorn Logging, who Brewer said were largely responsible for allowing the Jamboree and logging show to happen.
Brewer said that he was thankful for the many sponsors of the event but was also especially grateful to the local Boy Scout troop who helped clean up after the festival and that they went “above and beyond.”
The Veterans Motorcycle Club and Ron Hunter helped put on not only the bike show, but also ran security. Brewer said the list of people he needed to thank would have taken up the entire paper but that it meant the world to him how the community came together to make the event a success.
Mindy Brewer, Roby’s wife, said that the success of this year’s mutton busting from the Vernonia Ridge Riders raised enough money that there may be a “rough stock rodeo” next year at the Jamboree.
There were some issues with vendors or folks getting COVID-19, but Mindy said that the feedback throughout the community was largely positive. Something that she felt important to mention was that the presence of law enforcement at the event was necessary and important to ensure that the Vernonia Police Department didn’t get overwhelmed by the crowds.
“We’re 35 minutes away from any help if our local cops needed help, so to have the extra presence in town is greatly appreciated and needed,” Mindy Brewer said.
Overall, Brewer felt that the show was a great success, and he thanked the community for helping make it possible.
“Thanks to everybody who stepped up, and showed up, and took time off work and everything to make this happen,” Brewer said.
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