Farmers’ auction rolls into Sisters

Sisters knows it’s spring when the annual Small Farmer’s Journal Auction and Swap Meet rolls into town. Held April 22-24, at the Sisters Rodeo grounds on Highway 20 four miles east of town.

The event promises to be as big as and likely even better than last year.

Small Farmer’s Journal is a magazine, published in Sisters by Lynn Miller and his staff. It celebrates farming done the old way, using horses or mules. The auction is the main event of the year for the SFJ, and pulls the magazine’s far-flung family of subscribers together for an event that is more like a family reunion than a commercial affair.

The auction has become a huge event.

Crowding problems have been addressed this year with the assistance of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Posse, who will be helping jam the cars into the parking lots. And an extra selling tent will be set up to ease the discomfort of bidders having to sit cheek-by-jowl for hours waiting for their treasure to come up for bidding. With nearly 3,000 items consigned for the auction, the wait could be a long, if entertaining, one.

Nearly 100 vendors are expected to set up for the swap meet, where buyers and browsers can peruse stalls displaying hats, antiques, crafts, clothing, windmills, handmade boots, baskets, wool/fleece products, cowboy collectibles, horse gear, wrought iron goods, chicken coops and wood carvings.

Food will be available all three days of the event.

Demonstrations of blacksmithing, Western hat making and bio-diesel production will take place at various times over the event. Sunday’s activities start with a horse soundness clinic, before the horse auction.

Sneak previews of goods are allowed on Thursday, April 21, and bidders’ numbers can be acquired then, too. Visitors should be sure to check out the auction office, which also houses a book store full of information on small farming.

Parents are welcome to bring their children; it is a safe place for families. Friday morning there will be a talk for children which dwells on horsedrawn equipment and its uses both today and in the past.

Friday’s auction comprises small items in one tent, with farm implements and equipment, and harnesses taking center stage in the other tent.

Saturday’s auction action promises to be the most visually exciting of the event. Several stunning coaches have been consigned and bidding is expected to bespirited.

Gates are open from 7 a.m. The event is free, but there is a parking fee of $3 per day or $5 for all three days. For a full schedule, visit http://www.smallfarmersjournal.com.