SFJ Auction & Swap News

April 13-16, 2011 Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Madras, Oregon

When I was a little boy I used to love the background elements of stories, the weather, the minor characters, the kid sisters, the escaped pig, the smell of lightning, the colored flags waving, the hecklers and hawkers trying to distract the love-struck kid, the look of grapefruits carefully stacked into pyramids and most of all the market days. You know, like the one Jack went to to sell the family cow in Jack and the Beanstalk, or those lavish Arabian street markets that Sinbad darted through, or those wild high plains rendevous’ where mountain men and Sioux met to trade goods. Theater, it was all theater – and urgency – and reunion – and celebration. I wasn’t more than ten when I imagined what fun it would be to try to organize such things. And then I grew up and stumbled on to auctions. Scary stuff, but frequently a good kind of scary. Everybody watching as you timidly raise your hand committing to pay some dollar amount BUT only if you are the last one to raise a hand. And did that mean you won or lost? Could be either; had to wonder if the person or people you were bidding against knew something you didn’t. “Has the horse moonblindness? Or is that plow beam bent?” Ah… but in the moment it was such grand fun mixed with serious business. Wouldn’t it be fine to discover an auction where the management actually tried to do the business end honestly? With the passage of time I came to find myself actually organizing an auction. And I was able, because I was in charge, to fill in around the edges.

Right from the beginning. the concept was to do an event that was one part auction, one part education, one part theater, one part street market, and one part reunion. And that’s just exactly what’s occurred. I can say without reservation that we are very proud of the event. It has evolved and matured to become a thing unto itself. Thirty some odd years worth.

So why on earth would we decide to change it now? Because we want it to swell, we want it to give off more music, we want it to become even more relevant to the regulars, we want it to attract more newcomers, we want it to swirl its long multi-colored skirt of market and theater and auction and education ‘til everyone it touches bursts from the shear useful pleasure of it all. So here’s what we’ve set out to do for 2010.

Dates

April 13th through the 16th, 2011. Yep, that’s four days instead of three and every one full of stuff to do and see.

Location

Yes, we are most definitely sticking with the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, in Madras, a lovely small town plopped down dead center of a vibrant farming region in Central Oregon. We were treated like royalty the last two years and the overtures have continued for this next one as well.

If you weren’t with us last round, this is an old-timey fairgrounds with a big enclosed arena, several typical agricultural buildings, nice grass all over, ample livestock pens and lots of parking. A very welcome feature for campers were the showers. It also features an extra nice full-hook-up RV park that got filled really early last year.

What’s To Be Included

As of press time we have decided on a schedule for those four days. But we reserve the option to subtract only if we have to; and to ADD as the whim and opportunities present themselves. But as of today, 3-22-2011, we have scheduled 23 different FREE workshops and Clinics spread out over four days. They are scheduled on the posting named SMALL FARM TRADE FAIR on this site. But for the general schedule here’s what we’ve got penciled in.

Wednesday the 13th is to be the final check-in day for EVERYTHING slated for auction (cut-off time is 8 pm sharp!).

ALSO on Wednesday we will be offering the 2nd annual Jethro Tull draft horse and mule plowing competition!!!

AND  Horsedrawn Field Trials for new and restored implements, many of which will be sold on Friday in the auction. We have land just north of the fairground’ outside arenas. The number of plots will be limited, so a shot at the contest will be first-come first-served. Men, women and children will all plow against one another in just two classes; walking and sulky plow. No big hitches this year. We are fortunate to have John Erskine and Doug Hammill as our judges this year.  We are definitely looking for volunteer help to pull off this important addition to the event. Stalls will be available to stable the contestant animals so folks can stay for the sale. All day Wednesday (and each day) will be swap meet and trade fair peppered with demonstrations, clinics and meetings.

Our horse market fair is a new addition this year. All animals will be displayed, during the event, in rented stalls with opportunity to show off at prescribed times in outdoor arena. All animals will be offered for sale private treaty with any and all guarantees between buyer and seller.

Thursday the 14th we will start in the arena with harness and tack items. [The harness will be divided into three groups with each being designated for a specific morning.] Blacksmithing tools will sell a little earlier than usual, at 10 a.m., and be followed by the parts and pieces out on the grass. A second sales ring will be conducted in the arena featuring country antiques and decorator items. All day will feature the swap meet and trade fair. Thursday evening will be time for clinics, meetings, food and gatherings.

Friday the 15th all day Swap Meet and Trade Fair and we will start back in the arena with harness and tack. At eleven a.m. we will go out of doors to sell horsedrawn implements. Friday evening we will offer a separate old paper and glass SALE featuring antique paper items, art items, glass framed pictures, ceramic items, pamphlets, manuals, advertising art all reflecting small farming and animal power. Also Friday evening will be a repeat of the Ryan Foxley and friends string band concert that was such a BIG hit last year.

Saturday the 16th all day Swap meet and trade fair. In the morning the auction commences with small items, tack and harness. We will start the Carriage sale at 11 am in the arena with Premiere select vehicles. (Based on a set of photos sent in before the early deadline, the auction jury will determine which entered vehicles are eligible to purchase a predetermined sales position in the opening premiere select. These vehicles will be given added advertising exposure and enjoy a guaranteed early sales position. Following the premiere select will be the remaining horse drawn vehicles.)

And Sunday is the cleanup and go-home day.

The swap meet and trade fair is sure to fill up fast, as are the clinic time-slots, so DO NOT WAIT to sign up if you want to conduct a clinic. Once again we will be publishing a program. A big part of how we are able to make this happen is the generous support of  our many sponsors, THANK YOU each and everyone.

The time is ripe to join us for what will be the largest and best event we have ever held. See You There.