Crazy Days is a decades-long summer tradition in downtown La Grande. This year, the event takes place Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18. The theme is Fabulous ’50s!
The Union County Timber Cruisers Car Club will host its annual “Grande Ronde-A-View Weekend” Car Show. Registration for the car show starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 17, at Riverside Park, where participants will be treated to a barbeque dinner. Saturday, July 18, the car show is held on Adams Ave in downtown La Grande from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Following the car show, participants can take part in a Poker Run throughout the beautiful Grande Ronde valley. Saturday evening a “Cruise for Cash” takes place throughout the downtown area from 7 – 9 p.m. with $20 given away every 10 minutes from sponsoring businesses.
New this year, Crazy Days hosts a Soap Box Derby. The derby cars have a “show n’ shine” at 10 a.m. at Max Square, followed by a parade at 2:30 p.m., with the race beginning at 3:15 at Second Street and O Avenue. Categories are Creative Derby, Speedster Derby, Mayor’s Race, and Speedster Two-Wheelers. Entry forms are available on the LGMSD website or you can contact Ron at ron_derby@eoni.com.
In further keeping with tradition, the three-on-three basketball tournament, sponsored by Red Cross Drug Store and La Grande Central Station, promises to be a big draw.
For artists of all ages, LGMSD is offering “Chalk it up to Art” on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with prizes for each age group. Age groups are 10 and under, 11 to 18, and 19 and up. Artists will be assigned a sidewalk square to decorate, and winners in each category receive Downtown Dollars to use at La Grande businesses. The “Chalk it up to Art” event takes place on Adams Avenue in front of Umpqua Bank.
In addition, La Grande retailers are offering sidewalk sales during Crazy Days and participating businesses will offer additional discounts to those sporting their ’50s attire. Other activities include balloon twisting; the Grande Ronde Bush Pilots will fly model airplanes; the shower tower and bouncy house will be up and running; the Farmer’s Market will be in full swing, and there will be food and craft vendors. If you are a craft vendor or nonprofit organization, it is not too late to secure a spot as a vendor. For all registration forms including soap box derby, basketball, and vendor applications, visit www.lagrandemainstreet.org.
