A Storied Celebration: Sportsman's Holiday Weekend in Sweet Home, Oregon, with the Oregon Jamboree

Every July, Sweet Home comes alive with the spirit of community, heritage, and fun during its iconic Sportsman’s Holiday weekend. Tracing its roots back to 1948, this annual festival began as Frontier Days, a spirited community effort to fund a public swimming pool. Over the decades, the event has grown into a multi-day celebration that embraces the town’s logging legacy, local pride, and family-friendly entertainment.

🌲 Honoring Tradition and Tough Times

In the 1980s, Sweet Home weathered hardships brought on by the collapse of the logging industry. But resilience shone through—as seen in the revival of community landmarks like the Weddle Bridge, which became the setting for the early Oregon Jamboree. Sportsman’s Holiday has mirrored this resolve, evolving into a vibrant testament to the town’s strength.

Highlights of the Weekend

Logger’s Olympics: Showcases local loggers’ skill and speed—and their deep connection to land stewardship.
Parade & Princess Court: Featuring floats, vintage vehicles, and the traditional crowning of the Sportsman’s Holiday queen, whose fundraising efforts benefit local nonprofits.

🚗 Friday Night: Cut the Gut Car Cruise

One of the most anticipated events kicks off on Friday evening: the Cut the Gut Cruise. A scenic, 14‑mile loop through Sweet Home dotted with 21 pit-stop checkpoints, this rolling car show invites participants to collect “passport” stamps and earn prizes. Last year, 249 enthusiastic drivers joined, with favorites like O&M Point S earning top honors for the best pit stop.

For the Oregon Jamboree this year, one of their ticketing stations joined the fun as a passport pit-stop, offering fans a chance to engage with the festival before even setting foot on the grounds.

Why It Matters

Sportsman’s Holiday is more than a celebration—it’s a living tribute to Sweet Home’s roots. It draws visitors from near and far, including families from Denmark, and keeps local businesses buzzing. Between the high‑spirited Logger’s Olympics, the creativity of the parade, and the camaraderie fueled by Cut the Gut, the weekend quietly reinforces what community means.

Join us for the FREE Oregon Jamboree Kick-Off Party on July 31st in Sankey Park!