Document text
Ashland Country Fair highlights local talent Local men want to foster community spirit To foster a strong community in Ashland, two local men are planning a gathering with arts and crafts, food and music. The first Ashland Country Fair will be held Sept. 24-26 at the Wellsprings -- formerly Jackson Hot Springs -- off Highway 99 in Ashland. Ashland residents Steve Traisman and Gerry Lehrburger, owner of the Wellsprings, are organizing the fair. Traisman said he does not want the country fair to be associated with the barter fair, a Rogue Valley counterculture event held near Ruch for more than 20 years that has generated complaints about drug use. Drug and alcohol use will not be tolerated at the country fair, Traisman said. "We want young kids to come hang out and have fun in a clean, wholesome environment," he said. The fair's purpose is to unite the community, he said. "People are hungry to gather," he said. "Ashland is known as a cultural mecca. I believe (the fair) will become an annual event." Food will be provided by Pangea, the Springs Garden Cafe and other local restaurants. Arts and crafts booths will showcase "everything under the sun," Traisman said. Naturopathic healers will share information, and fair-goers can also use the Wellsprings mineral-water pool. Music includes Elijah, Clan Dyken, Dimecele, Jewels Grazes, Shamwari and David Pinsky's Rhythm Kings. Amandala Poets and the Dine Elders will also appear. Lehrburger said the Ashland Country Fair is modeled after the Oregon Country Fair, a counterculture event held each summer outside Eugene. "Southern Oregon deserves as many outlets for our local talent as possible," he said. The fair will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 25 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 26. Admission will be $8 on Sept. 24, $12 on Sept. 25, $10 on Sept. 26, or $25 for the weekend. Proceeds will benefit the Wellsprings Healing Community, an alternative healing center. To reserve a booth at the fair, call Steve Traisman at (541) 482-4241. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA