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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 21, 1973)
Photos t>» Steve van Brasch Music and food at a country market The seventh annual Renaissance Faire. somewhat reduced in size, somewhat expanded in its role as a 'temporary alternative com munity'' and good-time site, gets under way Friday at its accustomed location outside Elmira. The three-day event will feature the expected array of craft and food booths, exhibits, minstrels and programs of unamplified music. But there will be changes, too. many of them designed to enlarge upon the spirit of the occasion by controlling persistent past hassles in volving traffic, littering, and other irritants. The changes come in response to pressure from several quarters. For example, last year s Faire saw an influx erf out-of-state craftsmen which pushed the number of booths to 350 or so. and competition became so fierce that many tradesmen wound up showing small gain for large efforts. Hiis year, booths have been limited to 250-25 of which are reserved for non-Oregonians. “We wanted this to be an Oregon Faire.” explains Faire organizer Cindy Wooten. “We’ve always considered it to be essentially a local happening." There have been complaints from residents of Elmira and Veneta to be dealt with too, most pertaining to impatient Fair e-bound motorists who in the past have jammed most available parking spaces and some private driveways in the two towns, rather than wait in line a few minutes for a space in one of the Fa ire's ample parking lots. Some of these complaints, Wooten explains, are a result of confusion precipitated by last summer's Grateful Dead concert, which was held at the Faire site and created one of the most hellish area traffic jams in recent memory. But there have been numerous incidents of this type (hiring all past Fa ires. Wooten says, and Faire organizers are moving to meet the situation on two fronts: a get-tough policy which employs six off duty Sheriffs Department officers to police motorists, and which enlists a tow truck to impound all vagrant vehicles. and a program of free busing to and from the Fa ire site from Lane Transit stops at Oak way Mall and 10th and Willamette. To further reduce the possibility of polluting the Faire’s im mediate environment, dogs are forbidden for the first time (after numerous complaints by fairgoers last year) and alcoholic beverages are also prohibited. Litter problems will be handled by BRING as a model project for recycling. “WTiat we're trying to approximate here is a country market place.” says Wooten, “something which can communicate an ap preciation of art. politics and nature, and allow a time for recon sideration and reassessment.” The new measures, she hopes, will strengthen the example of an alternative community which the Fa ire is designed to encourage. “I see the Fa ire as a kind of social compass which enables us to discover one another and determine our cultural bearings.” The drawing cards for cultural navigation-crafts and en tertainment-offer the same variety which has characterized past Fa res A small unamplified stage at riverside has been added to the well-used large one to accomodate a large musical slate including David Lannan. Wheatfield. Willie and the Egyptians. Kathy Smith, Steve Peaceful, harp wonder Lenny Russell, Diane Adams and various madrigal singers. Fifty food booths offer items or courses which span Mexican, Oriental and Scandinavian cookery as well as American standards, from hot dishes to pastry to beverages. A number of craft demon strations by blacksmiths, glass blowers, weavers, potters, metalsmiths. jewelers and leatherworkers are slated, as is a demonstration of “taichi,” a form of self-defense similar to kung-fu, performed at noon on all three days. House and garden plant exhibitions are also on tap. Faire hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Admission is $1, with children under 12 admitted free. Free programs listing each day’s events are available at the site. Chris Houglum
