Summer is approaching, and in Sisters, Ore., folks are gearing up for the town's busiest season. That means that hardly a weekend goes by without some sort of cultural event coming to town -- often, more than one. Sure, because of Sisters' Western ambiance (downtown buildings all sport 1880s facades), you'll find plenty of pioneer-influenced events. But you'll also find a surprisingly diverse cross-section of cultural affairs (not to mention, attendees).
It says a lot that a town of 2,000 is able to successfully host so many major events, and to regularly ntice hordes of followers to return again and again. Maybe one reason Sisters has become home to so many festivals and fairs is because so many artists and entrepreneurs have settled in this area. Or maybe everyone who comes here just feels like celebrating. Come to think of it, folks here welcome any excuse to explore the area, which happens to be one of the most picturesque locales in the Pacific Northwest.
Here's a roundup of upcoming events in Sisters:
Every Thursday in June: Sisters Summer Nights Concert & Farmers' Market. Farmers' Market from 2-7 p.m., followed by live music. 301 E. Main Street. (541) 420-7975.
June 6-8: Woodpecker Wonderland Festival. New festival celebrates the 200-plus species of birds that nest in and around the East Cascades; features a weekend full of field trips, bird-walks, picnics & workshops. Base: Camp Sherman Community Hall. Hosted by Paradise Birding. Visit http://www.woodpeckerwonderland.com or call (541) 408-1753 for more info.
June 13-15: Sisters Rodeo. One of the most popular rodeos on the West Coast circuit. The 68th annual event features four performances sanctioned by the PRCA with a purse of more than $100,000. Plus, Saturday morning parade through downtown Sisters & Sunday pancake breakfast from 7-11 am, with Cowboy Church at 9 am. Friday is family night (kids 12 & under get in free). For more info, visit http://www.sistersrodeo.com/ or call (541) 549.0121.
June 14-15: Sisters Art in the Park. Arts & crafts, food, entertainment & silent auction benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon. Sisters Creekside Park. (541) 549-8905.
Every Thursday in July: Sisters Summer Nights Concert & Farmers' Market. Farmers' Market from 2-7 p.m., followed by live music. 301 E. Main Street. (541) 420-7975.
July 3-6: Sisters Roundup of Gems. More than 40 displays of rocks, minerals & fossils. Sisters Middle School. (503) 829-2680.
July 5: Around the Block Saturday. 5th annual fiber art stroll, with local businesses hosting textile demonstrations, special quilting exhibits, music & refreshments. For more info, visit http://www.sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org or call (541) 549-6061.
July 5-6: Sisters Summer Faire. Arts & crafts, flowers, live entertainment, food court & children's play area. Village Green Park. (541) 549-0251
July 5-13: Sisters Quilt Walk. Local businesses display quilts from the Sisters Quilt Show during regular business hours.
July 7-11: Sisters Quilters' Affair. Quilting classes, lectures & evening programs highlighting the diversity of quilting. Various locations. For more info, visit http://www.stitchinpost.com/ or call (541) 549-6061.
July 10: Sisters Home & Garden Tour. Visit beautiful new homes & unique gardens (quilts will be hung in each garden on this self-guided tour). Sponsored by the Sisters Garden Club. For more info, visit http://www.stitchinpost.com/ or call (541) 549-6061.
July 11: Pine Needlers' Quilt Show. View the handiwork of this close-knit group of women, who meet weekly to quilt together on community projects & share ideas. Proceeds benefit the Pine Needlers College Scholarship Fund. Camp Sherman Community Hall. For more info, visit http://www.stitchinpost.com/ or call (541) 549-6061.
July 12: Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. The 33rd annual show (the largest outdoor quilt show in the country), with more than 1,100 quilts on display throughout town. For more info, visit http://www.sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org/ or call (541) 549-6061.
July 12: Sisters Annual Library Book Sale. Friends of the Sisters Library Annual Used Book Sale. (541) 549-6157.
July 26-27: Sisters Arts & Crafts Festival. Arts & crafts, food, entertainment, wine tasting & silent auction benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon. Sisters Creekside Park. (541) 549-8905.
Every Thursday in August: Sisters Summer Nights Concert & Farmers' Market. Farmers' Market from 2-7 p.m, followed by live music. 301 E. Main. (541) 420-7975.
Aug. 2-3: Sisters Summer Faire. Handcrafted arts & crafts, live entertainment, food court & children's play area. Village Green Park. (541) 549-0251.
Aug. 8-9: Country Fair & Art Show. 13th annual event features a juried art show & sale on Friday evening. On Saturday, art show plus live music, white elephant sale, pony rides, face-painting, petting zoo, gourmet garnishes, country store & Transfig Café. Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. (541) 504.9358.
Aug. 9-10: Sisters Bead Stampede. Artists sell their handmade one-of-a-kind beads, jewelry from those beads & buttons; artist demos onsite. Barclay Park. (541) 549-0251.
Aug. 16-17: Sisters Antique Faire. Antique dealers selling antiques & collectibles. Also, clothing, jewelry, furniture, books, Western memorabilia, live entertainment, food court & classic cars on display. Live auction on Sunday. Village Green Park. (541) 549-0251.
Aug. 29-31: Art at the Ranch. Black Butte Ranch hosts Artist's Reception/Silent Auction Friday and Art Show/Sale Saturday. Proceeds help support art in the Sisters schools and purchase art for Black Butte Ranch. For more info, visit http://www.blackbutteranch.com.
Aug. 30-31: Western & Native American Arts Festival. Handmade traditional & Native American wares, including pottery, jewelry, artwork, clothing, metal art & log furniture, plus Western music, Native American entertainment & mountain men on-site both days. Creekside Park. (541) 549-0251.
Every Thursday in September: Sisters Summer Nights Concert & Farmers' Market. Farmers' Market from 2-7 p.m., followed by live music. 301 E. Main. (541) 420-7975.
Sept. 5-7: Sisters Folk Festival. The 13th annual celebration of American music from blues to bluegrass includes performances by top folk artists and musicians. For more info, visit http://www.sistersfolkfestival.com or call (541) 549-4979.
Sept. 19-20: Northwest Pro Rodeo Finals. Top regional competitors vie for a purse of $60,000. Two performances, plus kick-off party at Three Creeks Brewery (Sept. 18), BBQ, breakfast & 4D barrel race (Sept. 21). Sisters Rodeo Grounds. For more info, visit http://www.outlawproductionslive.com or call (541) 588-5007.
Sept. 20-21: Sisters Fall Street Festival. Arts & crafts, food, entertainment & wine-tasting. Oak Street between Cascade & Main. Silent Auction benefits Sisters School District's Creative Dept.
(541) 549-8905.
Sept. 26-28: Sisters in Sisters. This theme of the 11th annual event is "Hats off to Sisters." Nationally known sister celebrities, speakers & fun activities highlight a weekend full of options. For more info, visit http://www.sistersinsisters.com/ or call (541) 549-0251.
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