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KLCC reporters are gathering stories for the 2018 Oregon Country Fair. Reports will appear on this page.Do you and a friend have a Fair story to share? Stop by the KLCC booth on Friday July 13 between 11 am and 2 pm and we will record your story. "Fair Shares" will appear on this page after the Fair!

Xavanadu Continues To Bring Artistic Space To Oregon Country Fair

(Alec Cowan/KLCC)

The arts area "Xavanadu" made a return to this year’s Oregon Country Fair.  

What comes to mind when you hear the word, “Xavanadu”? For me it kind of sounds like savannah, and that’s what it looks like at the Oregon Country Fair:  A sprawling lawn covered with artistic wood chairs and sculptures.

"It created a tremendous amount of space for us, and in that space we’re able to host a lot of art."

This is Jessica Metteer, who works in planning the fair. Xavanadu is their latest addition, and was introduced to the fair a couple years ago.

"So we have an art program where every year we can bring in new artists and new pieces for people to interact with."

While most of the fair’s grounds are packed full of booths and towering structures, Xavanadu is an open space and a breath of fresh air. This year it features a Mythic Seahorse, Psychedahlia garden and an interactive exhibit called “Portrait Forward!” It’s    become the premier artistic space for the fair.

"It’s art that’s moving in and out, it’s not static. it’s a lot of newer food booths, there’s old favorites, familiar things for people to see that anchors it."

Naming at the fair is a part of tradition, as streets like “Open sesame” and “Shaw’s Elysee” can attest to. When it came to Xavanadu, it was a community effort.

"They went  through a lot of names and ended up landing on xavanadu. Tons of people put in suggestions. Renaming things here can be a lot of fun because you know we’ve been around for almost 50 years, we have a lot of tradition a lot of history and a lot of things people call places even though that’s not the official name on the map."

Even though the name doesn’t actually mean anything specific, Metteer says it represents the aesthetic of the area.

"It speaks to sort of this interesting, amazing space where a lot of things can come together."

Fair-goers can find Xavanadu and its put-put golf, giant viola and art installations across from Dragon Plaza.