Seven decades of summer tradition rolled through Willamette Park as the West Linn Old Time Fair returned for three days of music, carnival rides, a parade and the annual pie-eating contest.

The 70th fair ran Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12, at the park along the banks of the Tualatin and Willamette Rivers. Admission and parking were free, according to the city of West Linn.

Parade highlights

Saturday's parade stepped off at 10 a.m. down Willamette Falls Drive, with the West Linn Garden Club serving as grand marshal. The club, founded in 1916 as the West Linn Rose Society, is one of the oldest garden clubs in Oregon and has 50 members.

"We're 110 years old, so it's a nice way to celebrate how long we've been a garden club," said Laurel Buncak, a Garden Club board member. "It's just really thrilling and it's neat to have a fair in town."

The parade theme, "250 Years and Still Blooming," honored the United States' 250th anniversary. A float depicting George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River took the Best Overall entry award. Maralee's Dance Productions, a third-generation dance school based in Oregon City that has taught dance for more than 70 years, won the Fair Court Trophy for Best Children's Entry after dancing in the parade and performing on the Main Stage.

A Portland Water Spectacular performer dressed as Ariel from "The Little Mermaid" waved to spectators along the route.

Music and entertainment

Portland blues band Big Plans took the Beer Garden Stage on Saturday, July 11, from 1 to 3 p.m. The five-piece group features Dave Siegel on guitar and vocals, Joe Dills on harmonica, Jeremy Sarant on bass, Mike Zilis on keyboards and Dan Bader on drums.

The Portland Water Spectacular Ski Show, whose members range from ages 5 to 81, performed multiple shows on both Saturday and Sunday from the river. Other acts across the weekend included The Newport Nighting Gales, Soul Proof, Youth Music Project teen bands, Dreamland Farmers, Syco Billys String Band, Sam Girl, and Tyler Stenson and the Black-Winged Birds.

The West Linn Historical Society opened the fair Friday evening with a presentation on West Linn's place in Oregon history at the McIntyre Main Stage.

Pie, pancakes and Sunday fun

The pie-eating contest hit the Main Stage at 2 p.m. Saturday.

The West Linn Lions Club hosted its annual pancake breakfast starting at 6:30 a.m. Sunday at the Willamette Park Main Shelter. A PJ's to Pancakes Fun Run kicked off at 8 a.m., followed by an antique and classic boat show and the Mutt and Pet Show.

Carnival rides from Rainier Amusements filled the park grounds, and returning food vendors included Dairy Hill Ice Cream, Travelin Toms Coffee of West Linn and Grandma Ellie's Elephant Ears. The fair also featured lumberjack competitions, a classic car show and the Bob Harding Horseshoe Tournament.