News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
The first Sisters Antique Festival held August 3-4 drew large crowds and provided brisk business for vendors who were virtually unanimous in their praise of the new Sisters venue.
Event organizer Nancy Mattison of Country Heart Promotions reported that many vendors had stronger sales than at last year's show; some told her it was their best show of the season so far.
"Every single dealer is thrilled with the site, thrilled to be in Sisters," Mattison said.
Saturday's turnout was particularly massive, with cars parked up and down Sisters streets and east along Highway 20 from the school administration campus site. Antique furniture seemed to predominate in many of the stalls, and shoppers were apparently in a buying mood. Treasure hunters also explored collections of spurs and Western memorabilia, glassware, books, art, tools and sporting goods.
But the show was more than a straightforward commercial endeavor. Many vendors spent time just chatting with visitors about antiques. Some visitors were shocked to learn the value of the blanket someone had given them, or of grandpa's old tools or that branding iron sitting in the corner of the barn.
One Sisters resident discovered an expert on a particular painter's work and found a treasure trove of information about a print his mother gave him.
Such discussions highlighted the apparent fact that antiques are more than a way to make a living for dealers -- they are a passion and a way of life. The enthusiasm of the dealers communicated itself to shoppers, enhancing the value of the experience -- and perhaps of the antiques themselves.
Dealer's tents came down on Sunday as swiftly and efficiently as they went up just a couple of days before. Vendors moved on to other shows. But they left looking forward to coming back, Mattison said.
"We are definitely wanting to be back in the same spot next year," she said.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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