Whit Deschner’s unique idea of using salt blocks sculpted by cattle and wildlife to raise money for Parkinson’s disease research is going strong thanks to a new partnership with the Baker City Lions Club.

Deschner’s first Great Salt Lick contest and auction was in 2007 and the “almost annual” event will have its 16th edition on Sept. 21.

Since the start, the auction has raised about $220,000 to benefit Parkinson’s disease research at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.

Deschner was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2000.

He’d planned that 2023 would be the last auction.

Then the Baker City Lions Club offered to take it over — with Deschner’s guidance.

“We hope to keep him involved every year in whatever capacity he wants,” said Dave Hunsaker, a member of the Lions Club. “We are really looking forward to making this work.”

Planning for September’s event is underway with a committee of five: Deschner, Hunsaker, Mo Quinn, Valerie Potter and Blaine Clemens.

Event details

The auction will happen Sept. 21 at Churchill School, 3451 Broadway St. Viewing starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by the auction at 6:30 p.m.

The auctioneer, as always, will be Mib Dailey.

But there would be no event with salt blocks, and everyone is encouraged to submit entries before Sept. 15.

The rules still apply: all entries must be salt blocks licked by livestock or wildlife. (Deschner warns that blocks licked by humans will not be permitted and “licks may be subject to DNA testing”) and blocks need to be washed off before entry.

Those who would like a replacement block can take an entry to Oregon Trail Livestock Supply in Baker City or Richland Feed-n-Seed. Otherwise, blocks can be submitted at Churchill School.

Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.

Also, Deschner pointed out that this year’s auction will not conflict with the Pendleton Round-Up — he’s heard from people over the years who couldn’t attend the auction because they were going to the rodeo.

Recognition

Over the years, news about the Great Salt Lick has spread far beyond Baker County.

The contest was named the best Philanthropic Event by the Oregon Festivals and Events Association in 2012, and has appeared on NPR’s “Weekend Edition” and Oregon Public Broadcasting’s “Oregon Art Beat.” It was featured by Ripley’s Believe It or Not and the Smithsonian’s website, and in art museums in Chicago, Vancouver, B.C., and the Guggenheim in Los Angeles.

In downtown Baker City, a larger-than-life bronze salt lick at Court Plaza, on Court Street between Main and Resort streets, honors the homegrown event. This piece was supported by the Ford Family Foundation.