Old-fashioned fun at Country Fair

Folks rolled in early under perfectly sunny skies for the 19th annual Country Fair and Art Show hosted by The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration on Saturday. While the little folk congregated in the children's games area, the bigger folk stood in the line at The Sweet Tooth booth waiting for their piece of Annie's marionberry cobbler, chatting with friends and neighbors.

Volunteer Ann Reed, who makes the mouth-watering cobbler, and helper Kit Thomson dished out the delightful desert.

"This is my 13th year here and we usually run out, so I made three more big pans of it and hope this time we won't. But you never know, because folks just seem to love it," Reed said.

Over at the petting zoo, a very friendly red-tailed boa and ball python attracted a crowd. Owner Christine Cole brought her three snakes that just love to slither up and curl around on a human.

Eleven-year-old Audrey Bryant from Seattle decided to give "Keno" the ball python a try after watching 4-year-old Tyler Eckerle walk around with him wrapped around his neck and arms for 10 minutes. After a few seconds she decided that was enough.

"Snakes are neat, but just not for me," said Bryant while wiggling her arms to get rid of the snake cooties.

"I've had Keno, my ball python, for a few years and he's very friendly and the kids love him," said Cole. "I encourage kids to have a snake because they really make great pets."

Petting zoo coordinator Linda Monahan was lending a helping hand with the menagerie of pets and kids interacting together.

"This year Christine is a one-man show and she needs a little more help since she brought snakes, an assortment of chickens, and two rabbits that all the kids want to hold at once," said Monahan.

The old-fashioned fun under the pines drew a crowd of local folks and summer visitors who just wanted to enjoy the perfect weather while either browsing the Country Store looking for fresh vegetables or cruising around Gourmet Garnishes for the perfect peanut brittle or fudge to bring home.

Sisters-Camp Sherman fire department had two fire engines and an ambulance on display to educate the kids about fire safety.

Fire department volunteer T.J. Johannsen manned the table in front of one of the fire trucks, giving away safety pamphlets and bright red fire hats while talking to kids about fire safety in the home.

"The firefighters are letting the kids climb aboard the trucks while educating them about the type of equipment they use during a fire," Johannsen said. "One of our volunteers is going to dress in a full turnout, with helmet, jacket, boots and a type of oxygen mask that would be their normal outfit during a fire. One of our goals at the fire department is to help small children understand that there's a friendly firefighter under all that scary gear."

There was plenty of action over at the cake walk with the kids getting ready for the music to start, while volunteer Dana Cunningham scrambled to get them organized in a circle.

"We have a great crowd this year; it's full," she said. "The kids pick a playing card and then we play music and they walk in a circle, when the music stops one person has to leave, but they get a consolation prize. The last one standing wins the cake."

A flash mob dance presented by The Central Oregon Round-up Square Dancers added to the festivities, and the crowd cheered them on.

Proceeds from the fair and the accompanying art show are distributed through the Sisters community as part of the outreach of The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration.