MIXED MEDIUM
THE ARTS AROUND
EASTERN OREGON
3
JULY 2027, 2022
Fiber festival draws enthusiasts to Eastern Oregon
By Jeff Peterson
Go! Magazine
PRAIRIE CITY — Meet old friends and
make new ones at the family-friendly
fourth annual Prairie City FiberFest.
A love of fi ber is expected to draw
about 500 enthusiasts from throughout
the Northwest during the last weekend of
July to the picturesque Eastern Oregon
town. Spinners, dyers, felters, crocheters
and knitters of all ages and experience
are expected to converge to share their
passion for fi ber.
It’s a chance to see projects go from
raw fi ber to fi nished product, and to
shop for handcrafted items and fi ber
art-making supplies. Fiber vendors are
open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 30, and
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, July 31.
“This festival is Ginger Shive’s crazy
idea to draw people to Grant County
to stimulate the economy, after see-
ing how the 2017 solar eclipse did just
that,” said Trish Lindamann, FiberFest
board president. “Being a spinner and
weaver, and aware of other fiber fes-
tivals in Western Oregon, she thought
Prairie City would be a beautiful setting
to host our own festival, the only one in
Eastern Oregon.”
The small size of FiberFest is a plus,
A unique boutique
featuring local artisans
from Grant County
• Over 35 local artisans
• Handmade in Grant
County
• One of a kind, unique
items
• Artisan owned
• Wood, textiles, jewelry,
glass, soaps and lotions
133 W. Main, John Day, OR
(541) 620-2638
facebook: etc.auniqueboutique
email: etc.handmade@yahoo.com
Eloise Boren/Contributed photo
Prairie City FiberFest off ers a variety of
workshops, such as lacework, knitting,
felted bags, pine needle basketry,
weaving and spinning. Sign up at www.
prairiecityfi berfest.com/workshops.
Lindamann said.
“Our festival, unlike festivals in metro-
politan areas, is small, intimate, making it
easy to get around and meet people,” Lin-
damann said. “There’s a lot of small town
friendliness to enjoy, plus spouses/part-
ners who travel with their fi ber enthusiast
can go hiking, fi shing, visit local museums
and much more.”
WORKSHOPS
Workshops are off ered July 29-31.
The 23 workshops are about double the
number off ered in previous years and
are led by fi ber artists from near and far.
Workshop topics include beginning lace-
work and knitting, felted bags, gourd art,
ice-dyed T-shirts, pine needle basketry,
weaving and spinning.
Workshops charge a fee determined
by the instructor. Early signup is encour-
aged to guarantee a spot, but most class-
es can accept same-day registrations if
not already full. For a workshop schedule
visit www.prairiecityfi berfest.com.
An unrelated small street fair will take
place from 3-7 p.m. Friday, July 29, featur-
ing craft makers and vendors. FiberFest
vendors who provide their own table can
set up for free. If interested, call Zach
Denney at 541-589-5565.
DEMOS, LIVE MUSIC AND A
SPINNING CIRCLE
Throughout the weekend, those at-
tending can browse for free at indoor and
outdoor booths set up by more than 30
regional vendors in the park, Community
Center and Teen Center. Expect to fi nd fi -
ber goods and accessories, supplies and
equipment, and kits to start projects.
Most vendors will demonstrate their
craft. Visitors will see among other things
carding and sorting wool and a World War
II sock knitting machine.
“The wide variety of vendors bring
products not available in this area,” Linda-
mann said. “Quality fl eeces, commercial
and handspun yarn, woven and knitted
garments can all be found at the festival.”
The Sage Rats, a hammered dulcimer
and guitar duo from Burns, will play July
30-31.
Gourmet Provisions,
Majestic Pizza,
Wine & Beer Bottle Wonderland,
Dedicated Tap House,
Craft Cocktails,
Espresso Bar, Local & Far-Out Deli
403 S. Main Street Pendleton • 541.276.1350
A spinning circle will be a focal point.
“This is a shady place to sit with your
spinning wheel, knitting needles, nee-
dlework or crochet hook and chat while
working on your project,” Lindamann
said. “It’s a good place for beginners to
introduce themselves to various types
of spinning wheels as the owners love
to talk about their wheels. It’s informal,
and people come and go throughout
the event.”
Out-of-town visitors have a variety of
lodging options to choose from. Camp-
ing is available at Depot RV Park. For
reservations, call Prairie City City Hall at
541-820-3607 or 541-350-1851 and be
sure to say it’s for FiberFest. Air B&Bs
and hotels are available in Prairie City and
John Day.
Volunteers come from throughout
Oregon to help out with FiberFest, and its
board members are a diverse group from
throughout Oregon and as far away as
Georgia.
Proceeds from the event benefi t Grant
County 4-H and FFA youth.
“Last year we gave Grant County FFA
$1,800 to attend the national FFA confer-
ence in Indiana,” Lindamann said, “and we
distributed $750 to the 4-H groups who
helped with the event.”