Program date: May 16, 2025
Air date: May 19, 2025
The roots of the Oregon Country Fair were planted in 1969, when it was known as Oregon Renaissance Fair. Within a couple of years, the Fair found its forever name and forever home in a property west of Veneta. In the 56 years since it started, the Fair has evolved into a showcase for the arts, and a lively marketplace for food vendors and local retailers of hand-made goods. Not incidentally, OCF has become a significant economic force in the region. What began as a fundraiser for a small independent school has grown into a destination for more than 45,000 visitors a year.
In this program, three OCF leaders describe OCF’s philanthropic endeavors, radio station, summer youth program, history, and its financial impact on the surrounding communities.
Speakers:
Kirsten Bolton has been the executive director for the Oregon Country Fair since July 2021. She moved into this role after serving as the general manager of the Eugene Saturday Market. Her background in business management began in Anchorage, Alaska, when she became the first female general manager of a local television affiliate in the state. Her work has been instrumental in helping transform organizations. Kirsten’s contributions to the various vibrant artist communities she’s served include technology upgrades, brand management, and business growth.
Paxton Hoag grew up outside Astoria. In 1968 he helped organize the Eugene McCarthy Primary Campaign in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties, and won Clatsop County. In 1969 he was attending LCC and saw a poster for the Oregon Renaissance Fair. He went to an organization meeting and a work party before attending. His first booth on the current property was a craft booth in 1971, then in the 1970s and 80s he had food booths, then another craft booth. Eventually he joined the Water Crew in 1989, and in 1992 started the Photo ID Crew. Currently he is co-coordinator of Video Crew. He has been on and off the board of directors several terms since 1991. He looks forward to seeing the Oregon Country Fair continue for another 50 years.
Arna Shaw first became involved with the Oregon Country Fair in 1969, when she and a friend operated a food booth selling veggie burgers. It was a fall Fair, and she remembers that first Fair because it was raining hard, and they slept under a flatbed truck. Nobody wanted to form the veggie burgers because it was so cold. The next Fair she sold halvah, and by her third Fair she had started a weaving business and turned to selling crafts. Eventually, after a sabbatical of three years, she returned to become the first paid general manager. As manager, she recommended to the Board the creation of the endowment fund, later named for Bill Wooten, and she is one of the founders of the Jill Heiman Vision Fund, another of the Fair’s philanthropic endeavors. She also serves on the Board’s Giving Committee, helping with the Board’s donations to the community.
About the City Club of Eugene:
The mission of the City Club of Eugene is to build community vision through open inquiry. The Club explores a wide range of significant local, state, and national issues and helps to formulate new approaches and solutions to problems. Membership is open to all, and Club members have a direct influence on public policy by discussing issues of concern with elected officials and other policy makers. The City Club’s mailing address is PO Box 12084, Eugene, OR 97440, and its website is cityclubofeugene.org.
Video and Broadcast
This program will be live streamed, and the videotape will be made available on the City Club of Eugene’s Facebook page and You Tube Channel, in addition to our website. It will be broadcast on Monday, May 19, at 7:00 p.m., on KLCC 89.7 FM.