Salty Success: Baker City’s Great Salt Lick Auction Raises $38,000

By Joe Hathaway on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

BAKER CITY — In its 15th year, the Great Salt Lick contest and auction proved it’s still packing a flavorful punch, raising an impressive $38,000 on Saturday, Sept. 16. This year’s haul brings the grand total to a whopping $213,000 since 2006, all of which has been donated for Parkinson’s disease research at Oregon Health and Science University.

Among the tongue-tickling entries, Kevin Luckini’s creation, the charmingly named “Sir Licks a Lot,” fetched an impressive $2,500.

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

These salt blocks, lovingly sculpted by the tongues of livestock and wildlife, competed in one of four categories: general, best poem accompanied by the block, most artistic, and best forgery.

Deschner says what added a sprinkle of whimsy to this year’s festivities was the panel of judges – eight kids aged 5 to 10. Their youthful enthusiasm and creative judgments provided delightful surprises. As Deschner aptly noted, “The entire event is happily chaotic, and the kids just added to the merriment.”

No Great Salt Lick auction would be complete without the lively banter of auctioneer Mib Dailey, who has wielded the gavel for the past 14 auctions. Deschner couldn’t help but emphasize the critical role Dailey and the enthusiastic audience played in keeping this salty tradition soaring: “This venture would never have taken flight without Dailey and all the audiences and buyers who have come to join in the fun.”

Deschner says he met people Saturday night who came to Baker from across the nation, from Alaska, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., just for the event.

“The energy was just so positive on Saturday,” said Deschner.

After many years at the helm of this salty ship, Deschner is hanging it up as head organizer. He says he won’t be too far though.

“I just want to sit in the crowd and enjoy the magic.”

2023 Great Salt Lick Contest and Auction results

Most Artistic:

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

Best Forgery:

First: Heads Up
Second: Malia Jensen
Third: Heads Up

Best Poetry with Block:

First: Kevin Luckini
Second: Mike Meyers
Third: Paulette Romtvedt

General:

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

Peoples’ Choice:

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