About Us
Our organization, the Santiam Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) is based out of Lebanon, Oregon and surrounding areas including Sweet Home, Albany, Eugene, and Springfield. We became an established club in 1965. However, several years later, on February 3, 1969, we became an official non profit organization after our official incorporation on this date.
In 1969, our club’s stated purposes were “to encourage appreciation of nature and good fellowship among people through the mutual enjoyment of four-wheel driving” and “to cooperate with private and government agencies for promotion of conservation of our natural resources.” These are still some of our main goals today.
Our club is a branch of the Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association and Region 6. This network of organizations work together in land management, four wheel drive events and outings, and fellowship with those of similar interests.
We are an organization that focuses on four wheeling, family, community, volunteering, and the great outdoors. Aside from our annual Mountain Mud Festival (Mud Flat) event, we have monthly club meetings and gatherings, work parties, camp outs, four wheel drive outings and runs, and volunteer activities in the surrounding areas.
We find great satisfaction in helping others and giving back.We have been conducting our renowned event for 30+ years now. Back then, years ago, we set out to organize a place to participate in our sport of four wheeling. As many are aware, there are not many places open today where four wheelers can do what they love, whether that be in an organized event or not.
Therefore, we are honored to be a part of this organization. We strive to promote wholesome family entertainment.
The proceeds of our event are donated to local organizations, causes, and charities. We feel that it is important to promote other wholesome activities. We feel that a successful event is one that gives back. However, as stated before, we are not just a group who donates our monetary proceeds, we also donate our time to volunteer activities.
As an organization, we are pleased that others are interested in our association. However, we never accept applications for membership between January 1st and April 1st of each year. Additional time frames throughout the year may also be established to not accept applications. These periods are decided on yearly by our organization.
When applications are accepted, once attending club meetings/functions and becoming acquainted with our organization, prospective club members are able to obtain club by-laws and a membership application with information and details. Our contact information is included on our home page.
Many people attend and love our event without knowing anything about us, the group who provides the event. We hope that by reading this page and all that this site and its links have to offer, that you will be able to obtain the whole picture behind us and our renowned Mud Fest event.