Softstar Shoes Celebrates 30 Years of Shoemaking... with Lots of Playing!
Believe it or not, it's been 30 years since Tim and Jeanie Oliver sold their first pair of Softstar shoes in 1985. This is a big anniversary for us, especially at a time when we're preparing to mark another milestone by moving to a bigger workshop. It's definitely a far step from the old school bus the Olivers once used to make our shoes (click here for that story).
Softstar owners Tricia and Larkin wanted to do something special to celebrate our third decade of moccasin-making, so they surprised our entire staff with a trip to the Oaks Amusement Park in nearby Portland, Oregon!
All of the elves, along with their families, kids and loved ones, met up on a warm July Saturday for a busy afternoon of rides, games, greasy food and loads of fun. As one should perhaps expect in Oregon, the clouds opened and pounded us with rain the minute our busload of elves arrived at the park. Fortunately, there were plenty of indoor activities to keep us busy (after a wet lunch in the picnic area), and the sky cleared long enough for us to enjoy the outdoor rides for a few hours before heading back home to Corvallis.
So what did we do there? A better question would be what DIDN'T we do? The list of activities included roller skating, roller coasters, bumper cars, go-karts, train rides, shooting galleries, whack-a-mole, popcorn, cotton candy and spinny carnival rides that make you regret eating all that cotton candy so fast.
It was also a great opportunity for us to update our staff photo for the first time since our 25th anniversary rafting trip. This time it includes all of our families, too!
But don't take my word for it...
Trying to stay dry during lunch.
Founder Tim and Co-Owner Tricia show you a little water won't stop their fun.
Elf Dina and Elf Hava brave the storm to see what the park has to offer.
Keita, Patty and Hava tear it up in the roller rink.
Elf Martin and Elf Hava taking a break from roller skating. Why does Martin look so evil?
The sun came out and we hit the rides! Here's Elf Brad on the Scrambler.
Elf Hava and Tim keep trying to catch Brad's Scrambler car, but they just can't seem to gain ground.
Little Shel captivated by go-karts. Nice shoes, Shel!
Elf Martin and his girlfriend making faces waiting in line for the Scream'n Eagle—which, true to its name, invoked lots of scream'n.
Larkin's sons enjoying a train ride around the park!
Tricia and her youngest daughter, Oly.
Elf Tesla takes baby Sage on very her first Merry-Go-Round ride.
Elf Sarah made sure there was no shortage of Softstar temporary tattoos for the trip. Here's Larkin sporting hers with a wet pair of Solstice sandals.
Larkin's husband Jay taking their son Shel for a motorcycle ride.
The elves dominate the go-kart course.
A happy couple.
The 2015 Softstar elves and their families!
The day was a blast for everyone, but that's not the end of our anniversary celebration. Keep following us to see what's next...
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