Harvest Faire draws record crowds

Dark clouds hanging over Sisters couldn't stop the thousands of treasure-loving folks that came out to celebrate the fall harvest through the 39th annual Sisters Harvest Faire hosted by Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce on Saturday.

Folks from all over the Pacific Northwest browsed through 150 juried artisan vendors that lined Hood Avenue with their quality handcrafted items from flowers made from juniper wood chips to metal art jewelry. There were novelties for everyone's taste.

Vendor Don Dye from Bellingham, Washington, was overwhelmed at the overflow of folks interested in his Original Repoussé Art wildlife images.

"I've been doing this kind of art for over 30 years and find that people always seem to have an interest in how I create the art," said Dye.

"Repoussé is an old art form, whereby a relief design is produced in metal by hammering or working from the reverse side. The first step in creating my repoussé artwork involves hand-carving and deeply engraving the master plate into which the malleable metal, such as copper, is worked. Heat, acids and patinas create a unique backdrop for each, then hand-painted image. Then I apply a clear finish and it preserves the original piece for years to come."

The music of Sisters community radio station, KZSO 94.9 LP-FM could be heard as folks neared the corner of Barclay Park to grab a bite to eat.

It was Ron (Bruno) Brown's first time at the fair with his food cart, Bruneau's Homestyle South Philly Cuisine, which attracted a line around lunchtime.

"Everyone seems to enjoy my Philly cheese steak sandwiches, probably because I'm from Philly and know the secret to making them," Brown said.

The sun decided to come out before noon, bringing the wind along with it.

Vendor Tom Borener from Elmira was holding onto his tent to keep it from blowing away. Luckily, his wood art was heavy enough to withstand the intermittent gusts of wind that had toppled a couple of tents already.

"I've worked in the art media for over 30 years, but when I discovered woodturning a few years ago, I was hooked," he said. "Since I got my first small lathe, it has been almost a daily ritual for me to spend some time turning. I do utilitarian pieces like bowls and plates in a creative way. I like to find the ideal balance between the nature of the wood and the best form to display it. The wood I use is from the Pacific Northwest, and is salvaged from trees that have had to be removed."

Graham Smith from Eugene showcased his lifelike photos of wildlife and landscapes of the American West. From lighting storms to a wolf and her cubs, his work reflects his passion for nature.

"It's discovering and creating these images that make possible a deeper connection with the power and divinity found in nature," Smith said. "I have been a photographer for 50 years and have been all over the west of the Rockies and the southwest. I finally went digital in 2005. One of my favorite places to photograph is the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. It's magical."

The event benefitted the town as a whole. Chamber Executive Director Judy Trego noted that businesses reported more people in their stores and strong sales.

Jeri Buckmann, Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce event organizer, was very pleased about the crowds of people that showed up.

"It's a popular event, but I haven't seen it this crowded ever before. It was a fantastic show this year; it was exceptional," Buckmann said. "The parking was blocks away, it was great for the show, great for the town, and great for the vendors. I was also pleased to see so many people shopping locally!"