Benefit for the Basin, all ages fun
/
Thousands gathered at the Klamath County Fairgrounds this past weekend to celebrate Basin youth at the 9th Annual Benefit for the Basin. (Image: Anonda Rae, Klamath Falls News)
Fun was had by children of all ages at the 2022 Benefit for the Basin held, July 9, at the Klamath County Fairgrounds. Benefit President, Joe Reister seen here in the stick pony barrel races. (Image: Anonda Rae, Klamath Falls News)
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Just inside the gates of the Klamath County Fairgrounds, the sound of children's laughter tickled one’s ears for the ninth annual Benefit for the Basin this past Saturday, as thousands gathered to celebrate the youth of the Basin.
Upon entering the main gate, guests were surrounded by bounce houses of all kinds. In the hot sun, the most popular were the ones with water. Beyond the obstacle course of inflatables, guests were treated by vendors selling ice cream, slushies, and snow cones.
Plenty of vendors were located throughout the event. Many offering their services & goods for sale. Some had educational booths, but mostly there were activities for all ages, including a car smash.
The highlight of the event was a classic car display inside the main event center. Outside the event center, a drag race was offered for those enthusiasts to show off their vehicle's performance, even President Joe Reister and Vice president Keith Scotts joined in on the starting line on scooters.
“It’s all about the kids, our youth,” said Reister.
Everything at the event is free except for food. “But you are welcome to bring your own food. If you can purchase from the venders, they will give some profit back to us. They are profitable as well, which they should be, but they do give back. But it’s all about the kids,” added Reister.
“There are hundreds of children that come with their families that come out for a day and have no worries,” stated Reister.
“I grew up a little different than some, my mom worked her butt off and us three kids. We didn’t have a lot and by no stretch of the imagination do I have a lot now. However, with a little bit of effort and a little bit of thought process, and a whole lot of community help, and our committee members, and our board members we put together this event so that everyone can come together and do this. It is 100% for the kids,” Reister stated.
Over the past nine years, Benefit for the Basin has continued hosting and improving the event. Typically, held in September this year's event was held in July. “Last year we got rained out which is part of the reason we opted for an earlier month,” said Reister.
Along with a master playlist that could be heard from wherever you stood, a local musician Dana Wirth shared her guitar and vocals with all who walked by. (Image: Anonda Rae, Klamath Falls News)
The Benefit for the Basin also holds an annual dinner and auction on Friday night. “We had a great dinner auction last night probably as big as we ever had,” said Scotts. “The profits from the dinner go to our community to help children and help provide the event. We are going to do very well this year.”
Scotts explained, “Taking two months out of the year and moving this from September to July maybe set us back a little bit. But this is the ninth year with eight of those being held in September moving it into July is going to change people's schedules and until they get used to it again, we will get back on track.”
For more information on Benefit for the Basin click here.
