In its 15th year, the Great Salt Lick contest and auction raised $38,000 on Saturday, Sept. 16, bringing the grand total to $213,000 that has benefited Parkinson’s disease research at Oregon Health and Science University.

Kevin Luckini’s entry, “Sir Licks a Lot” went for $2,500.

“Ten years ago, $400 for a block was big,” said Whit Deschner, the event’s founder. “This year $400 was the lowest a block went for.”

He said this year’s amount was nearly double what was raised at previous events.

Salt blocks, which had to be sculpted by the tongues of livestock and wildlife, could be entered into one of four categories: general; best poem with block; most artistic; and best forgery.

The judges this year were eight children from ages 5 to 10.

“Together they came up with some surprises,” Deschner said. “The entire event is happily chaotic and the kids just added to the merriment.”

Mib Dailey was again the auctioneer, as he has been for the previous 14 auctions.

Deschner said this venture never would never have flown without Dailey, nor “all the audiences and buyers who have come to join in the fun.”

2023 results

Most Artistic:

• First: Kim Luckini
• Second: Mary Miller
• Third: Liz Burton

Best Forgery:

• First: Head Start
• Second: Malia Jensen
• Third: Head Start

Best poetry with Block:

• First: Kevin Luckini
• Second: Mike Meyer
• Third: Paulette
• Romtvedt

General:

• First: Buck and Hope Buckner
• Second: Larry and Laura Morin
• Third: LeeAnne and Steve Haberle

Peoples’ Choice:

• First: Jason Sullivan, $150
• Second: Dixie Driggers, $100
• Third: John Heriza, $75