Series of events scheduled in remembrance of Oso landslide

DARRINGTON, Wash. — This weekend, a series of events are being held that will mark a year since the Oso landslide killed 43 people.

The first event starts Friday night in Darrington with a gathering of hope at the Darrington Community Center gym.

Sunday will mark one year since the slide sent mud and debris across the Stillaguamish River and buried a square mile, including State Route 530.

On Saturday, the Oso Fire Department will hold a buffet and live auction.

On Sunday, another memorial and a moment of silence will be held at 10:37 a.m. – the time when the slide hit.

One of those remembered will be Linda McPherson, who was the first person officials identified after the slide.

McPherson was a Darrington School Board member and librarian who was reading the newspaper in her house when she was killed.

On Saturday morning, a meeting room in the Darrington library will be dedicated to her.

Events this weekend:

Friday, March 20

7 p.m.: "Gathering in Hope," a service of remembrance with music, prayers and readings at the Darrington Community Center gym, sponsored by the Darrington and Arlington Ministerial associations

Saturday, March 21

11 a.m.: A Darrington Library meeting room will be dedicated to retired librarian Linda McPherson, who died in the slide.

1 p.m.: "Oso Strong — 1 Year After" at Rhodes River Ranch at Oso is a concert, buffet and auction to benefit the Oso Fire Department and Oso Firemen's Association. Backers describe it not as a celebration but as a time of healing and community.

Sunday, March 22

9 a.m. to noon: Highway 530 will be closed through the slide zone. At the slide site, a solemn event will be held for families of those who died, plus first responders, slide volunteers and local residents. This observance is not being planned for the general public, but the public is invited to other Sunday events.

Noon to 4 p.m.: A "Soup Social & Open House" at the Oso Fire Department

1 p.m.: Community potluck dinner at the Darrington Community Center

1 to 3 p.m.: Open house at the Darrington Fire Department, with an ongoing presentation about the slide, along with a display of donated artifacts from the slide

KIRO