Treehuggers having a square dance in a barn to raise money to save Oregon’s wildlands may have seemed more like a spoof than an actual event when it started, but Cascadia Wildlands’ annual hoedown has held up for the long haul — the conservation group’s 10th “Hoedown for Cascadia’s Ancient Forests” is on Saturday, May 18, at a Cottage Grove horse arena.

The money raised from the event supports Cascadia Wildlands’ conservation efforts such as restoring wolves in the Pacific Northwest, stopping clearcuts, protecting wild salmon from suction dredge mining and preserving more wilderness.

Josh Laughlin of Cascadia Wildlands says the event, featuring Conjugal Visitors and square dance caller Bob Ewing, will be “a hootenanny to remember” and says, the hoedown is “all about our community coming together to celebrate Cascadia’s wild rivers, landscapes and critters that make our bioregion so special. And it also happens to be where the square dance of the year takes place.”

Knowledge of square dance is not required, hoedown outfits are encouraged. There will also be three-legged races and water-balloon throwing, Laughlin says. The ticket price also includes a vegetarian chili dinner and two drink tickets (featuring Ninkasi, Falling Sky and Oakshire) are included, and a roundtrip shuttle bus from Eugene is available.

The event is from 6 to 10:30 pm Saturday, May 18, at Avalon stables, 80143 Hazelton Road in Cottage Grove. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 door (12 and under free) and more info is available at cascwild.org and 434-1463.