Association plans winter wonderland

Sisters Village Association has a full winter planned for Sisters.

On Monday, December 21, the SVA is sponsoring a day of holiday celebrations in Barclay Square. Festivities start at 4 p.m. with Native American dancers and drummers, followed by the flutes of Kayo, and that is only the beginning. There will be a winter poetry reading of a Robert Frost poem followed by Christmas carols sung by the Sisters Chorale led by Irene Liden.

Crowning the Snow Queen will be the highlight of the day's festivities. Barbara Turner, Sisters retailer for 29 years, will carry her scepter as the Snow Queen until the first day of spring, March 21, 2010.

After the queen is crowned, the Snow Gods will arrive from Hoodoo Mountain Resort. Local shops will celebrate the Blue Moon - two full moons in a month - with a display of winter arts and crafts.

The SVA has partnered with Three Creeks Brewing Company, Hoodoo Mountain Resort, and the Sisters Chamber to create a winter wonderland in Sisters Country.

Matthew McFarland, general manager at Hoodoo Mountain Resort, has been behind Sisters Village Association from the start.

"Hoodoo is part of Sisters' local area. It only makes sense to be involved. We're a major winter employer," McFarland said. "We are a winter wonderland."

Jennifer Lake, of Jennifer Lake Gallery, started with a concept for a Sisters Village Association based on the National Main Street Network.

"We kicked off Thanksgiving weekend with a Teddy Bear Show at the Sisters Public Library. The display will be at the library through the end of December. They followed with the National Ski Patrol celebration (November 24)," Lake said. "After the crowning of the Snow Queen on December 21, we're holding the largest snowball contest on January 9. We hope to beat last year's national record."

"Economically this is the time to do something," said SVA member Kathryn Johnson. "We have to give people a reason to come here."

For more information, contact Lake at 549-7200.