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18
WEST LINN TIDINGS
July 18, 2013
By Kate Hoots
Pamplin Media Group
In a town with a leonine high school mascot,
it shouldn’t be surprising that one of the most
popular food items at West Linn’s Old Time
Fair is the Lion burger. The “Lion” in the name
comes not from the meat but from the makers
– the West Linn Riverview Lions Club is part of
an international service organization, one that
has deep roots in the Old Time Fair.
“We’ve been doing them for over 50 years,”
Mike Lindner of the Lions Club said. “1958 was our
first year, and we’ve done them every year.”
The quarter-pound burgers are served on a
toasted sesame seed bun with an option of cheese
and grilled onions.
The Lions expect to sell about 1,400 of the $5
burgers during the fair’s three days. All those
burgers will be cooked and served by volunteers
– about 50 in all.
“We want to make sure people understand …
the money goes right back into the community,”
Lindner said. “Burgers is about 50 percent of (the
Riverview Lions Club) income. We are sponsors
for one Boy Scout troop and three Cub Scout
packs. We provide shoes for kids. In November,
over 200 West Linn kids got shoes and socks for
free. We do the Easter egg hunt, which is free for
the kids who participate. We support a lot of stuff
at the high school and give $6,000 in scholarships
at the high school each year.”
The city will receive 15 percent of the Lions’ net
proceeds at the fair.
If the burgers – and the Lions’ charitable efforts
– don’t tempt you, you’re certain to find some-
thing to your liking at one of the fair’s other food
booths.
Popular returning vendors include Firdale
Foods, offering curly fries and strawberry lemon-
ade; Boy Scout Troop 396, offering Pronto Pups,
chili boats and nachos; Job’s Daughters, offering
cotton candy and snow cones; and of course Wil-
lamette United Methodist Church, offering pies.
Some new vendors will be there too, including La
Fiesta Mexican Food, Yakisoba Lady and Mean
Street Pizza.
If your day at the fair starts early, the Lions will
be serving a pancake breakfast on Saturday and
Sunday at 6:30 a.m. as well, offering pancakes,
sausage, orange juice and coffee for $5 per per-
son. All you need to bring is a hearty appetite.
YOU’LL FIND FINE FOOD AT THE FAIR
BRING ON THE EATS
Fairgoers will
find many ways
to indulge a
sweet tooth.
FILE PHOTO:
VERN UYETAKE
The Willamette United Methodist Church pie booth is always a popular spot.