Sisters hosts Western festival

Sisters will get in touch with its roots next weekend with the annual Sisters Western & Native American Arts Festival.

The event is set for Saturday and Sunday, September 2-3 at Creekside Park in Sisters from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

Visitors will enjoy a wide variety of fine arts and crafts, paintings, photography, pottery, wood crafts, jewelry and live music.

Teepees will dot the park, demonstrating Native American lifestyles.

Sisters artist Barbara Berry designed the 2006 event poster and she will be at the event for autographing. A chainsaw artist will demonstrate his talent and a flintknapper will be showing his craft. Entertainment throughout the weekend will feature The Northwest Coastal Tribe Dancers, Charles Littleleaf, Los Pistoleros and Doug & Katie Cavanaugh.

Food, including Indian fry bread, will be available at the venue.

The event will also offer the "Village of Learning."

The "Village of Learning" features a group of individuals sharing their heritage with others. Through demonstrating, reenacting, story telling, dancing and interpreting, they teach the ways of their ancestors.

Kids can bead their own bracelets, have their picture taken in authentic mountain man or Native American regalia, watch the wheel maker, leather maker and wood Bittler.

Admission is free. Creekside Park is located on Jefferson St. and Highway 20 in Sisters. The event is sponsored by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. Call 549-0251 for more information.