Farm auction draws hundreds to Sisters

The Small Farmer's Journal Horsedrawn Auction and Swap Meet, held April 20-22 at the rodeo grounds, fits right in with the rest of Sisters signature events.It puts its own quirky twist on the elements of those

events.

It can't exactly be called artsy, but there is plenty of art to be seen and purchased. The paintings tend to have work horses and mules as their subjects, but the appeal is obvious. Yard art abounds at many of the swap meet vendor booths. Many of the carriages and fancy wagons ushered through the selling tent display the finest of craftsmanship. A close look reveals hand-rubbed brass and polished wood. And a show harness festooned with silver and highest quality leather begs to be teamed with an excellent horse and carriage, to become a living, moving

exhibition.

You won't find bands or singers, yet music of a different sort is all around. It's heard in the jangle of the harness, the rhythmic hour-after-hour patter of the auctioneers and the four-beat percussion of heavy horses

walking.

There's plenty of dust, hot dogs and elephant ears to munch, just like at the rodeo. All that's missing are the broncs. The placid horses that are auctioned take the noise and confusion of the Sunday horse sale in their stride, with one young draft mare stopping to munch on the grass carpeting the floor of

the tent.

One of the compelling features of the auction is the friendly atmosphere. Many take precious vacation time to attend year after year. Twinka Lupher of Tumalo is one of those.

"We've known Lynn Miller for over 30 years and have always supported the auction," she said. "It's safe; they don't pull any punches and they're really

honest."

Lupher and her daughter, Tuki, brought Tuki's horse, Cougar, to be sold. He'd been purchased at the auction four years ago and with her daughter's imminent departure to college, Lupher knew the best place to re-home him was through the auction. Sure enough, his successful bidder was a teenager from Redmond who left the tent with a mile-wide grin on

his face.

Saturday's auction of carriages, wagons and buggies drew a standing-room-only crowd. Demand was great for some styles, not so for others. Lynn Miller, publisher of the Small Farmer's Journal, said that the passed-in carriages often have a deal struck on them before the day is over.

Several carriages are heading to New Zealand, purchased by Lester Rountree who made his inaugural trek to Sisters last year.

The auction provides a place for friendships to flourish and wisdom to be shared. All across the grounds were groups of people laughing, looking and listening. It doesn't seem to matter if the weather is bad - folks just head to an available tent. It doesn't seem to matter if the bids aren't as high as anticipated. The atmosphere is always up-beat. Items find new homes, and regulars look forward to next year.