Summer Faire attracts vendors

What started 25 years ago as the Sisters Saturday Market evolved into the Village Green Craft Show in 2001. In 2003 the event was renamed the Sisters Summer Faire for its July and August venues and the Western and Native American Arts Festival for its September extravaganza.

"The event has taken on a new life," said Jeri Buckmann, events director for the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce.

In its early years the show was a one-day event; later it became a two-day, weekend affair. According to Buckmann a two-day event is much more attractive to vendors, and attracting new vendors to provide variety and fresh flavor is what brings thousands to Sisters to the show each year.

Because it's an outdoor show, it is very difficult to calculate the number of people who attend the Sisters Summer Faire.

"Yesterday (Saturday) was constant. I don't know how many thousands were there. Sundays are usually a little bit slower, just because they are Sundays," Buckmann said. "A lot of people who come back on Sunday are buying what they didn't on Saturday. They've gone home and thought about it."

Of the 75 vendors who exhibited at last weekend's show, several newcomers were here because they have heard through the grapevine only good things about Sisters and the city's chamber-sponsored event.

"This is our second time we've ever gone to anything like this," said Kathy Baglien, whose father Bob Zurcher makes birds from rescued materials such as shovels, rebar, rakes and sickle bars.

"The nice little town of Sisters is a good location," Baglien said, noting "Birds by Bob" will be back.

Another newcomer was Bill Sallee from Molalla of Gnome Hollow Bird Houses. Sallee learned about the event from his daughter who lives in Redmond.

"She was telling me how active these (Sisters) markets are," Sallee said.

In July Sallee came to Sisters to see for himself and registered for a space at August's venue. Even though Sallee felt crowds were light because of the Deschutes County Fair, he was completely satisfied and will return to another chamber-sponsored show.

Scott and Ann Lundquist from Emmett, Idaho, were also first-time exhibitors.

"We came through probably about a year ago, and you had an art show. Sisters has always got something going on," said Scott.

The Lundquists attend five shows per year.

"This is actually the first show that we've done here in Oregon," Scott said.

The couple crafts what they call vintage, functional art, using recycled items. They use the architectural tins from the ceilings of old buildings to make mirrors, shelving units, fireplace screens and wall hangings, incorporate vintage linoleum on bench seats and use vintage lumber to craft a variety of decorative items.

One reason the Lundquists exhibited at the Summer Faire is because the chamber promotes it extensively.

"They promote the heck out of it," Scott said.

The Lundquists' enthusiasm about the Sisters event mounted as they spoke of Sisters as a model community. According to Scott their town of Emmett, Idaho, is currently embarking on some community development.

"Every time we talk about that somebody brings up: 'Well, take a look at what Sisters has done.' All the way over to Boise, Idaho, people are talking about what Sisters has done to promote their economic development in the community," Scott said.

"We're always fascinated that every weekend the chamber or some organization has something going on in the town," said Ann. "What better way to bring people from outside the community in and promote business, promote the local economy and develop it and create more. People come here as it's a destination point now. Now they want to come here because of the art show or because of the fair or because of something else that's going on. The money stays here in town," she said.

Sisters resident Rick Gillaspie debuted Cart De Frisco, offering a barbecued chicken sandwich and chicken-on-a-stick (see related story, page 11). As clients lined up at Gillaspie's cart, he was happy for the opportunity to be in Sisters because of the Summer Faire.