Western festival offers a glimpse of the past

The natural beauty of Creekside City Park made the perfect setting for the Fifth Annual Sisters Western & Native American Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 2-3.

The event was sponsored by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce and attracted some 55 vendors who exhibited paintings, pottery, photography, woodworking, furniture, leather clothing, jewelry, decorative items and the like, all with a Western and/or Native American theme.

In addition to the booths of vendors there were those who gave what could only be described as performing art. Strains of Twones Van Zandt's "Pancho & Lefty" sung by Los Pistoleros drifted through the air as some donned their period attire to show a glimpse of life from times long past.

Later, the mellow sounds of folk singers Doug and Katie Cavanaugh filled the park.

Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Events Coordinator Jeri Buckmann said Sunday was busier than Saturday, which is unusual for an event of this kind. She attributed the large Sunday crowds to the fact that Monday was a holiday.

When asked how many people attended, Buckmann responded that she did not know the exact figures but that it had been in the thousands.

The Village of Learning, represented by a group of individuals whose purpose is to share the Native American heritage with others, provided hands-on learning about Native American culture.

Everything in the village was authentic for the time and the period, including the 18-foot tepees that were the average size dwelling for a Native American family of six. The group provided a walk through time with its leather maker, wood whittler and wheelwright. The spirit of the era and glimpses of the culture were expressed through storytelling by Hawk and the dancing and drumming of the Northwest Coastal Dancers.

Among the vignettes of American history the village provided was a trapper of the 1811 era, compete with flintlock rifles and all the accouterments. Another, a wheelwright, settled for the more modern 1860 period with newer technology and greater comforts, although still primitive by modern standards.

There was a craftsman who worked stone into knife blades, arrows and spear points. The floor was littered with tiny shards from this work that another craftsman picked-up and used as a part of his glaze to cover his pottery. Nothing was left to waste. In the distance, a craftsman was making traditional wagon wheels and doing blacksmithing work, recycling old horseshoes and other artifacts into objects as varied as hatchet blades and functional tools. All were having a great time sharing their knowledge with young and old alike.

Rustic Mountain Wood and Metal Works from Sisters exhibited its period Western style furniture, picture frames and mirror frames.

Retired sheriff Jim Gleason from Goldendale, Washington, who has exhibited at the show the last three years, displayed his oil and pastel barn scenes, horses and birds.

Bill Huffman of Huffman's Western Decor, from Newberg, Oregon crafts Western decor from cement. Huffman makes custom molds that are his original designs. His most popular items are boot planters, stepping stones, horse statues and benches.

Rosemary Reed of Fine Art Gourdes from Beaverton, Oregon, exhibited her Southwestern themed decorative gourdes. Reed first pyro-engraves and then uses several coats of leather dye to decorate her gourdes of all sizes and shapes.

Bob Doolittle of B.J.D., Enterprises from Madras is a master leather craftsman. Doolittle makes custom saddles, chaps, tack, purses, belts and leather works of all kinds. Sue Roake crafted Western-styled purses that she made from retired cowboy boots. Walking through the fair brought to mind that recycling is not a modern invention; it has been necessity throughout history.

Well known area artist and flute maker, Charles Littleleaf, escaped from his booth where he sold his recordings to prepare for his eerily haunting flute performances. Littleleaf's music is emotional and fills the air with the healing energy of the sounds of the Native American flute. To learn more go to http://www.littleleaf.com.

The fare was vast at the food court from Indian fry bread that can be dressed as a savory treat or a sweet dessert, to Belgian waffles, to corn on the cob, to tacos, and hot and cold coffee drinks. Just the right choices could be found to satisfy everyone's tastes.