By Larry Mauter
LCSWA member
Wood-oriented crafts people and agencies that can help woodland owners are the backbone of the Linn County Local Woods Fair.
It’s an adjunct to the very successful Linn County Small Woodlands Association (LCSWA) annual seedling sale — set for 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday Feb. 14 at the Santiam Building at the Linn County Expo Center.
“Fifty to 60 percent of the people who pick up seedlings make it to the other side of the room,” said Lee Peterman, a former LCSWA president and long-time woodworker.
Peterman said the event goes back nearly 20 years to former LCSWA board member Mary Brendle. She was looking for “a creative outlet” for local wood workers, said Peterman.
The fair has offered a variety of quality local wood work – jewelry, kitchen utensils, bird boxes, walking sticks and even chess sets in past years.
Sawyers and businesses with forestry equipment for sale have shared floor space with the bags of seedlings.
Vendors are not charged for the space at the Santiam Building, but are urged to make a donation to the LCSWA scholarship fund.
Along with vendors, organizations relating to forests and conservation “are always invited,” Peterman said.
Past participants have included Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Forest Resources Institute and local watershed districts. They have provided staffed informational booths that can be useful to tree growers.
Peterman said vendors can set up Feb. 14 as early as 7 a.m., with carts and trucks out of the Santiam Hall by 8 a.m.
To register as a vendor, contact Peterman at [email protected] or text him at (541) 223-3935.