Country Fair draws big crowd

Folks rolled in early for the annual Country Fair and Art Show hosted by the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration on Saturday under perfectly cool sunny skies.

The fair is run entirely by the members of the congregation, and Reverend Joseph Farber from Oklahoma, who joined the congregation as its new Rector just over a year ago, was enthusiastic about being part of the event.

"This is priest heaven for me," Father Farber said. "This congregation works together to do all of this. I've never seen anything like this anywhere else. And we've been working hard on the Country Fair for weeks. It's all for the community, not a penny of it stays here. The proceeds all go back to the community for Circle of Friends, Habitat for Humanity, FAN and to everywhere else that makes this community even better."

The coolness of the morning made it easy waiting at the Sweet Tooth Booth as folks lined up for a piece of Annie's delicious Marionberry cobbler. Volunteer Ann Reed, who makes the mouthwatering cobbler, and helper Bob Reed dished out the delightful dessert.

"This is my 11th year helping at the booth and we usually run out, so Ann made three more big pans of it and hope this time we won't," Reed said. "For me it's all about the crust!"

The original Marionberry cobbler recipe was adapted by Edie Larson, a founding member of the church, to be baked in large quantities to be sold to the public.

Leslie McHugh, who has volunteered in the kitchen during the Country Fair for five years, is Larson's daughter.

"My mom made the recipe even before the Country Fair. She used to sell it at a church booth for festivals or other events going on in town to make money for the church," McHugh said.

Larson and her husband, Bob, attended the first service for the Church of the Transfiguration as members on October 7, 1984.

Everyone enjoys fresh apple cider, and you couldn't get it any fresher than using an original apple cider press with fresh Fuji apples.

Sisters resident and Episcopal Church member A'Journe Spyker brought a cider press dated 1876 that he acquired three years ago in southwest Washington.

"This is our second year and the people love it, and it's not even apple season yet," Spyker said.

The four bags of apples were donated by Ray's Food Place.

The Country Store is a big temptation at the fair. It was bustling with folks who bought fresh vegetables, homemade preserves and relishes, home-baked goodies and hand-knitted hats.

A square-dancing presentation hosted by The Central Oregon Round-up Square Dancers added to the festivities, and the crowd cheered them on. Regional caller Kippin Parret from Bend enjoys being a caller for the group.

"This is our fourth time here, and we are going to give the spectators a sampling of square dancing with some different genres of music," Parret said. "A little country, some rock-n-roll, a little pop, and a little rap.

"We used to do a flash mob dance here every year, but everyone liked us so much that the church invites us back each year as a regular part of the Country Fair," he added.

Volunteer Peg Bermel was at the plant booth gathering more iris roots or rhizomes for a customer.

"All these plants were donated by church members. These irises come from Redmond and the person donated over 400 rhizomes," Bermel told The Nugget.

The customer, Shirley Lindberg from Eagle Crest noted, "I've bought them for three years now and they're fabulous flowers and the deer don't eat them. I have so many irises in my yard right now, all from this booth."

The event wouldn't be the same without Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department and all their bright-red fire-trucks that engage kids of all ages.

"We've been coming here to the Country Fair over the years to support this event," said Jeff Liming, volunteer captain and coordinator. "We open up our fire vehicles to prompt public education on fire safety. It's a good learning experience and the kids get their own plastic fire hat."

Inside, the church held the juried art show with two more silent auctions. All the items for the silent auction were donated by local artists and businesses.