By LAUREN L. DILLARD
Of the News-Register

YAMHILL - They auctioned nine different types of wine, a cord of maple firewood and a giant red vase while the kids played on a bright red Farmall tractor buried in about six inches of wood chips.

Just another year of "good, clean fun" at Yamhill Derby Days, in the words of auctions organizer Carol Orton of the Yamhill Community Club.

The theme this year was, "Saddle up and let 'er buck." And festivalgoers did just that.

"For a small town, this is a big deal," Orton said. "A lot of people plan their family reunions around Derby Days."

It all started in 1954, when it raised $35 - considered a successful result at the time.

In 1956, Derby Days featured "chug-mobiles." One of the first chug-mobile racers was Wayne Stonebrink, now 76.

This year, Stonebrink was charged with drawing a true circle for the frog-jumping contest. He took methodical measurements with his trusty tape measure as he went about the task.

In addition to frog-jumping and the signature soapbox derby racing, the weekend doings included karaoke, face-painting, bingo, live music, games for kids and their families and basketball on a newly painted outdoor court. It also featured break-away roping as a fundraiser for Yamhill-Carlton High School's Equestrian Team.

The soapbox derby racers used to cross Main Street on their way to a finish line at the old post office. These days, they use a permanent ramped track tucked securely into the confines of Beulah Park.

Michael Paolo took first place in the soapbox derby. Jacob Wood and Ember Armstrong placed second and third respectively.

"It feels pretty awesome," Paolo said. "The only thing is, drive straight. Don't cross the line."

Legacy Adams took first place in the frog-jumping competition, a test of distance for frogs found in the local environs. Hailey Couch placed second and Justin Sours third.

This year's Derby Days' Queen was Kayla Ison, a recent Yamhill-Carlton High School grad who was crowned Friday night.

The five members of the court sold ads in this year's Derby Days' book and sang karaoke and sold raffle tickets at the event. Ison will have the honor of crowning next year's queen.

"It's just all good, clean fun," Orton said.

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