Lighting up Main Street

Published 7:30 am Monday, December 11, 2017

The weather was slightly warmer and the parade was quite a bit longer at this year’s Timber Truckers Light Parade in John Day. The theme of the 26th annual parade was “Truckin’ Thru The Snow.”

The number of entries increased from 26 last year to 36 this year. Local logging companies and merchants, the Forest Service, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and fire departments participated in the annual parade on Main Street. Iron Triangle Logging had six entries.

The Rude Logging entry, complete with its own snow-making machine, won the sweepstakes award and a $1,340 Browning .30-06 rifle and Leupold scope donated by Ace Hardware and Les Schwab Tire Centers. Ty Holly and Les Woodworth each won a $400 Remington shotgun donated by True Value Hardware.

This year the parade committee handed out 30 gift certificates instead of items, organizer Leslie Traylor said. She joined Boyd Britton in front of the H&R Block office, where Britton announced the parade.

First-place winners won $200 cash, second place earned $100 and third place earned $50. Winners were also given merchandise donated by local businesses.

The people’s choice winners were chosen by voters at the awards banquet held at the John Day Elks Lodge after the parade, with $100 to first place and $50 to second place.

2017 Timber Trucker Parade results

Timber

First: Rude Logging, Steve Kowing

Second: Iron Triangle Logging, Bill Coombs

Third: Iron Triangle Logging, Ronnie Taynton

Commercial

First: Grayback Forestry, Mike Cearns

Second: DesJardin Dentistry, Mike DesJardin

Third: Timbers Bistro, Marty Holmstrom

Farm and ranch

First: Curt Pereira

Second: Lisa Pereira

Community

First: Blue Mountain Hospital, Wade Nodine

Second: Sawyer Watterson, Watterson family

Third: Grant County Search and Rescue, Dan Vandehey

People’s choice

First: Rude Logging, Steve Kowing

Second: The Ugly Truth Bar & Grill, Brian Hubbard

Sweepstakes: Rude Logging, Steve Kowing

Shotgun winners: Ty Holly and Les Woodworth