About Mud Fest

We will hold our Mud Fest event, formerly known as the Foster Mud Flats & Mountain Mud Festival, in 2010.  It is a well known four wheel drive event in Sweet Home, Oregon.  From an outsider’s point of view the event could look like nothing more than a muddy free-for-all.  Nevertheless, when digging deep into the heart of Mud Fest, it is easy to see the admirable results that our muddy play day offers its participants, the sport, and the community.

            What began as an association play day almost 40 years ago has now evolved into a widespread demanded event that we are very proud of.  Our play day, with its many events, allows families and complete strangers to come together and enjoy the great outdoors and the sport of four wheeling. 

            It began as the Foster Mud Flat Races at the Foster Reservoir in Foster, Oregon near Sweet Home.  The event was held on the gooey lake bottom after it had been drained for the winter.  The Foster Mud Flat Races offered large bog holes, a drag strip, and miles of soupy mud.  It was impossible to leave the event without something being muddy, if not everything including yourself.  Nevertheless, times changed and in 2001 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refused to grant a permit to hold our event on Corp property.  Frustrated, but not willing to give up tradition, we looked elsewhere for property to hold our event.

            Our organization then found private property on Berlin Road in Sweet Home to hold our highly demanded event.  Permits were granted at this alternate location and the 2001 event, known as the Mountain Mud Festival, was held without missing a single year.  Although the terrain of the original Foster Mud Flats can not be recreated, this new location offered its own greatness maintaining the same event format as the late Foster Mud Flats.  The Mountain Mud Festival offered a drag strip, obstacle course, rock crawl, bog holes, pits, acres of muddy terrain to hold it down, and a hill climb that the Foster Mud Flats did not have.  It also offered a concession area with food and event merchandise for all to enjoy.

            Now, in 2010, our event will be held at yet another new location on private property in Sweet Home, Oregon and again evolve.  Nevertheless, our event will still use the same basic format as our past events.  It is our hope that this event is an exciting combination of the past events.  It will possess most of the great individual events that the Mountain Mud Festival offered and has more opportunity for the soupy, gooey mud that the late Foster Mud Flats had.

            So many four wheel drive events make attendees specify being a participant or spectator.  Mud Fest doesn’t do that.  That is one of the things that make it unique.  Mud Fest accommodates both spectators and participants.  The event, usually the first Saturday in March, attracts thousands of attendees and their vehicles.  The vehicles range from stock and mild to full out wild.  Blown big blocks, customized 4WD buggies, cut tires, nitrous, 20 inches of lift, 44 inch tires, and everything in between can be admired at the event.  Although no trophies, ribbons, or awards are given to those with the fastest time or most wins, bragging rights are declared just to be challenged at an upcoming event.

To make our event successful, rules must be imposed on our participants.  All rules must be followed to ensure future events.  Ticket holders will receive event documents that outline event rules, maps, and event specifics.  Below are some of the event rules that all should consider when planning to attend our event.

There is no two wheel drive (2WD) parking available for event attendees of any kind.  Our event is a four wheel drive (4WD) event only.  Only 4WD vehicles and 4WD tow vehicles are allowed to enter the event.  No 2WD’s will be allowed to enter the event.  However, all are encouraged to seek out others means and attend the event. 

Only persons with authentic event tickets are allowed to enter the event.  Tickets are scanned and replicated tickets are confiscated.  All attending the event must sign release forms.  Re-entry into the event requires specific identification. Alcohol, drugs, firearms, ATV’s, and motorcycles are not allowed at our event.  Disorderly conduct, vandalism, riding in the back of moving vehicles, and littering are also not permitted. 

Event attendees are to stay within event boundaries, keep winch lines and chains clear of people when in use, wear seatbelts, keep children with an adult at all times, maintain contained fires, and show common respect to others.  Event vehicles must be washed off prior to leaving the event.  Specific vehicle wash areas are available at the event.  Individuals non compliant with the rules are reprimanded.  Depending on the situation, individuals may be escorted out and ejected from the event.  It is important that rules and guidelines are followed to continue future events and keep the tradition alive.

Event tickets typically go on sale approximately one month prior to the scheduled event date and are offered until sold out.  A limit of 3 tickets is imposed.  Children 6 years of age and under are free.  Specific ticket details (i.e. date, time, price, etc…) vary from year to year.

As individuals volunteering our time, it takes a lot of effort on our part to make the event a success.  It takes a lot of prep work to get the land ready for the event in the months prior to the event.  After our one day event, the land is returned to its original state.  Many do not realize that the event property is developed before the event and returned to its original state afterwards only to be developed once again as the next event time rolls around.

 Also, in the months following each event, we are in the planning stages of the upcoming event.  Event details change every year.  Current, up to date information will be available on this website and our organization’s information line as details unfold regarding the upcoming event.  Feel free to periodically check for updates.  We hope to see you at an upcoming event.

 

-Santiam Four Wheel Drive Association