Sultan Shindig honors veteran, volunteer

Published 12:01 am Monday, July 4, 2011

SULTAN — Charles “Ole” Carlson served his country during the Vietnam and Korean wars. He’s been a banker, a business owner and even an actor in commercials for Ivar’s and Bartell Drugs.

This weekend he will be obtain another title: 2011 Shindig grand marshal.

“I am very proud,” said C

arlson, 82. “It surprised me at first. I did not know I was nominated.”

He will lead the parade, one of the main attractions of the 28th annual Sultan Shindig in downtown this weekend.

The Shindig is set for Friday to Sunday. It will have live music, street fair, a carnival, car show, logging contest and fireworks.

The Shindig is expected to bring 20,000 visitors, about five times the population of Sultan, over three days according to organizers.

“It has grown bigger and better, but is still a small town affair,” Carlson said. “That’s what makes it special.”

Carlson earned the title of grand marshal after being nominated for his community service to the Sultan Summer Shindig Committee.

“He’s very active in the community,” Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce director Debbie Copple said. “He has given a lot.”

Carlson, who retired with the rank of sergeant major, has read books to children at the Gold Bar Elementary School for 12 years. He likes to read them books about treating animals with respect. “Beautiful Joe” and “Black Beauty” are a couple of his favorite books. He also volunteers at the Sky Valley Visitor Center and is an active member of the Sultan-Monroe Masonic Lodge.

With 34 years of living in Sultan, he has attended most of the Shindigs. He has seen it grow in attendance and having more people from outside the town come to the event.

“When you live in a small town, you always go to the Shindig,” Carlson said.

The Shindig offers something for everybody.

Among the highlights are the fireworks Saturday night, the A.B.A.T.E Antique & Classic Motorcycle Show on Sunday, and the logging competition on both days.

Of all the activities, the parade is the one that Carlson looks forward the most.

It is not just because he will be the grand marshal, but because he will ride the float alongside his wife of 63 years, Charlene, and two of his 13 great-grandchildren.

“It’s a chance to create memories with them,” he said. “That’s very important with small children.”

Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.

Digging the Shindig

Axe throwing, a motorcycle show and a parade are some of the events scheduled for the Sultan Shindig this weekend in River Park, at Main and First streets, in downtown Sultan. The Shindig events run 3 to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets for the street carnival are $19 for an all-day pass and they can be purchased at different locations such as the Visitors Information Center, Sultan City Hall and Sahara Pizza. All other events are free.

For more information, go to the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.skyvalleychamber.com or call 360-793-0983.