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Dunk a pastor or buy some crafts at SE Salem sidewalk sale July 24

A sign advertising the Saturday Sidewalk Sale in the window of Capital Park Wesleyan Church. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

Pastor John Chamberlain expects to get wet on Saturday.

Chamberlain, the outreach minister at Capital Park Wesleyan Church, will be taking his turn in a jerry-rigged contraption meant to mimic a dunk tank at a sidewalk sale and neighborhood event the church is hosting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It’s a partnership with the Southeast Salem Neighborhood Association and to bring free summer fun to Salem families, association Chair Shannon Priem said.

About 30 vendors will sell everything from Star Wars cards to tie-dye baby clothes at tables on the church lawn and parking lot at 410 19th St. S.E. Other attractions include cotton candy, popcorn and music.

Chamberlain said he originally planned to rent a dunk tank for the event, but discovered they cost $180 for the day and required 350 gallons of water to fill. In search of “a more economical option,” he discovered a contraption made of irrigation pipe where a hose fills a bucket that can be suspended above a person sitting in a chair.

People then throw bean bags at an arm which, when hit, dumps the bucket of water. Chamberlain said he and Lead Pastor Claude Alley will likely take turns in the chair.

“It actually dumps quite a load because I had to test it,” he said.

Anyone can attend the event, and there’s no cost for taking a turn trying to get someone wet. Chamberlain said if it gets hot enough, he might have competition for the seat under the bucket.

“It’s just going to be a hoot,” he said.

-Rachel Alexander