Oregon Trail Days Festival holds fund-raiser May 20

Staff Report

OREGON, Ill.—It’s time to pull on your boots, strap on your spurs, put on your hat and dust off your wallets to “Cowboy Up for Black Hawk.” The Oregon Trail Days Festival Committee will be holding a fund-raiser on Friday, May 20, at Maxson’s in an effort to raise money for the restoration of the Black Hawk statue and for the 100th anniversary event to be held July 16-17.

Amy Trimble explained that according to the Urban Dictionary– “Cowboy Up” means: When faced with a hard chore, it’s a shift in attitude from “can’t” to a positive “can-do” with confidence and a non-complaining spirit that becomes contagious. “And that is exactly what we plan to do; we will be cutting a ‘Big Figure’ or doing something on a large scale in an effort to ensure that Black Hawk stands for another 100 years with the support of the community,” said Trimble.

The blow out will start at 6 p.m. and will continue till the cows come home or everyone’s good and tuckered out. Maxson’s will be serving some great grub including BBQ and beef sandwiches, coleslaw and baked beans. There will be a watering hole and some good old-fashioned sassafras.

Oregon Trail Days will introduce a limited-edition 100th anniversary artwork that will be signed and numbered by the Western artist, Jody Bergsma. “I am really excited about this art,” said committee member Beth Henderson. “It is really the first time we have had an actual artistic art rendering of the statue, and it encompasses parts of the festival such as our tipis.” Only 100 signed, numbered and matted copies will be created and will sell for $100 for the 100th anniversary.

Committee members are also bringing back their famous wine. This year’s version will be sold in a pair and will feature wine glasses and a horseshoe bottle holder. Artwork for the wine glasses and a horseshoe bottle holder. Artwork for the wine labels was also created by Jody Bergsma. The set will surely be a popular gift and will also be sold for $100.

But the ace in the hole for raising money will be an auction of work created by area artists, including jewelry, paintings, photographs and more. Some of the art is being created by the artists who worked on the tipis last year, and some is being donated by local individuals who have a knack for being creative.

“One local artist will actually be on hand painting a portrait of Black Hawk that will be auctioned off at the end of the evening,” said Rebecca Hazzard. Also, the number one plaster Black Hawk statue that was created last year will be auctioned off.

To round out the evening, there will be Lorado Taft presentations and music. “This is basically the birthday celebration for Taft’s statue,” said Trimble. “We hope that people of the community will come out to this fund-raising bee (to get the job done in a group of people) and bring their wallets to help support the iconic statue. The evening will be a mixture of food, drink, fun and support for Black Hawk. We think it will be a rip-roaring good time for all.”

Cost is $20 per person and $30 per couple. The event is casual, and cowboy attire is strongly encouraged but not necessary. Prizes will be given for best cowboy and cowgirl look.

Pre-reservations can be made by e-mailing info@oregontraildays.org or calling (815) 732-2435. Tickets will also be sold at the door. For those who cannot attend but would like to donate, send your checks to: Oregon Trail Days, 500 N. Fourth St., Oregon, IL 61061. Please write “Black Hawk” in the memo line.

All funds raised for Black Hawk are being sent to the Illinois Conservation Foundation, which is handling the restoration of the statue.

From the May 11-17, 2011 issue