Country Fair draws big, happy crowd

Gourmet treats were a big attraction at the Sisters Country Fair.

The Country Fair at the Sisters Episcopal Church was a crowd-pleasing success on Saturday, August 10.

Fine fair weather with blue skies and warm -- but not roasting -- temperatures set the scene for traditional activities ranging from horseback and carriage rides to a cake walk and a puppet show staged by the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District.

Children enjoyed a petting zoo featuring miniature donkeys and friendly goats. A huge, inflated "bouncy castle" provided hours of activity for young children -- who somehow managed never to wear out.

Fairgoers enjoyed live music from a barbershop quartet and the folk-bluegrass outfit The Squawback Anvil Blasters.

Folks strolled among antiques and treasures, hoping to win one of several high-quality raffle prizes.

One of the great attractions of the Country Fair was a wide array of food, ranging from chili-dogs to Marionberry cobbler and homemade preserves. Food offerings included three-pepper jelly, apple butter, cranberry-pear relish, pear chutney and a variety of jams.

The preserves are an example of the year-round effort put into the fair by a host of volunteers, who start early canning and jarring goods for sale at the fair.

There was plenty of ice cream and root beer floats seemed to be in high demand.

The church allocates a portion of the profits from the fair to a variety of church outreach programs in Sisters.