PAst Participants

 Sierra Valley Farms is a Certified Organic Farm growing vegetables and hosting agritourism events on the farm, including a summer on-farm farmers market, montly Farm-to-Fork Barn Dinners and a Food, Blues & Views Concert Series.  In addition, farmer Gary Romano has penned two entertaining and informative books on farming and sells bottled drink mixes, horseradish and more. Sierra Valley Farms is an Event Trailhead where visitors can purchase even passports and souvenir dish towels and pick up a printed map of the sites for the day.  Host Gary Romano will be on hand to share information on the farm's history and current operation as a certified organic vegetable farm as well as selling farm products and signing and selling his entertaining and informative books. 

Toby is a Long Time woodworker, new to the area, utilizing urban reclaimed lumber when available, specializing in Tree art boxes, Intarsia of local wildlife, traditional jewelry boxes, Pens, pencils, wood Bowls, antler carvings, and Maloof style rocking chairs (too big to bring to the shows, sell them in galleries).

He specializes in exotic woods from worldwide, and uses mostly dovetail joints on his jewelry boxes, some feature wood hinges. His freeform tree boxes are one of a kind since he does not use patterns, just draws them individually on each block of wood. 

Melody lives in Portola on a five acre farm complete with 2 gypsy vanner horses, 2 donkeys,  6 miniature goats, 35 chicken, 2 dogs, 2 rag doll cats and one Rainbow Lory. When she is  not taking care of the herd she finds her way downstairs to work on her beaded jewelry. She has beaded since she was a ten but in the last 4 years has gotten into doing fancy elaborated jewelry, featuring Swarovski crystal (Austrian). She loves what she does whether it is working with the animals or beading or doing crafts fairs. She lives a very fortunate life overlooking the beautiful scenery of Plumas

We started by refurbishing some old birdhouses in our yard. It turned into a passion of making unique, imperfect perfect birdhouses. 

We make our birdhouses out of recycled materials from family, friends and acquaintances. We love making special order birdhouses like replicas of historic buildings, unique specialty bird houses, and sentimental birdhouses for customers.

The McGarr Family with Sierra Valley 4-H  will be presenting animals for an adorable petting zoo for kiddos!

Lil' Meg's pumpkin patch is a fun place for all ages. It includes games and activities, picture boards, small play zone for kids with slides, family fall photo opportunities, vendors, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes and colors, gourds for decoration, winter squash, fresh farm grown produce, food, beverages, baked goods and raffle tickets.

I am a Northern California children's book author, born in Mt. Shasta introduced to the Sierra Valley area by my husband who's family have a place there and our daughter is now fourth generation to spend time there. I write children's book focusing on family adventures and also a series focusing on kids and horses.

See more of Rae's work at

www.raerankin.com

Pattie, the daughter of Leland and Phyllis Cross was born and raised in Loyalton and absolutely loves this valley! She crochets a variety of usable items - animals and things that mostly cater to kids.  

 Artist Susan Wilson will be sharing information and a historical display about the extraordinary Alice Marble, born in Beckwourth in 1913, whose family is the source of the name for Marble Hot Springs. Alice overcame myriad challenges to become a tennis champ in the 1930s-40s, the first to win both Wimbledon and the US Open singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles in the same year, 1939. Alice was the catalyst for the African American Althea Gibson to break the color barrier in tennis (with Althea going on to win the US Open and Wimbledon in the 1950s), coached Billie Jean King and edited Wonder Woman comic books, which inspired her to tell stories of real Wonder Women from history. Did we mention Alice was also a spy during WWII?  

Peter Rhode was born and raised in Portola, Ca., His interest in sculpture began at a very young age, along with profound interest in primitive art and anthropology. In his early twenties while in college in the Bay Area, he became fascinated with Paleolithic art as well as Mesoamerican and African cultures. These incredible cultures served as a catalyst for further research and a particular interest in recreating replicas of some of the most important representations of archetypes that transcended human traditions and art through time from places around the world.   

My inspiration begins from rock itself. In each stone I see and feel the embodiment of a particular living thing, whether it be plant, animal, or human. I then try and bring out this idea but keep it in its most symbolic and mysterious primitive form. In addition, the rock I choose – typically granite or volcanic basalt – is central to its unique representation. My primary vision in each piece is to make it look as ancient and artifactual as possible.  A work of art that looks and feels old, speaks with wisdom of the ages, and stands as a reminder of human industrialism and spirit.

See More of Pete's Work at

https://www.facebook.com/highsierrabassplayer

World Champion Teamster with Hall of Fame Mules.  I have been driving mules for over 40 years and will be demonstrating antique chuckwagon pulled by team of mules discuss wagon, harness and mules.

Karen Rickman of A Bit of Beach designs, sews and embroiders home decor and beach accessories, which of course can also be mountain accessories! Karen's exhibit will include one-of-a-kind pillows, guest towels, flour sack towels, drop cloth tote bags, ball caps, and more.  All items are made in the USA and embroidered right here in Sierra Valley and can be seen at The Lost Marbles Ranch during the Sierra Valley Art & Ag Trail. More information at www.abitofbeach.com.

 Gloria & Ray Gipson of Earth 'n' Light, specialize in hand-made gemstone and crystal jewelry, including beaded Kumihimo necklaces and bracelets which accent focal gemstone, glass and crystal statement pieces. Their work also features original photographs made into necklace pendants, bola ties, earrings and keepsakes.  Gloria & Ray collect and polish mineral and semi-precious stones to enhance their beauty. Earth 'n' Light will exhibit beautiful gemstone and crystal jewelry in addition to Kumihimo hand-beaded chains for necklaces and bracelets. 

Erik has a small business in Portola making custom cabinets, wood & resin cutting boards and small decorative pieces- many handcrafted many made with remnants from the Dixie Fire.

You can see more of Erik's work at

https://shop.roseislandcab.com/

I am passionate about gardening and providing fresh food during the summer, well preserving/canning fresh food for the winter. We have some interactive teaching to present, how to do your own soil blocks, composting. There will be a petting zoo, small animals. Please come and enjoy the shade and sitting area in our backyard for lunch.

We will be presenting the Top Story garden, discussing the importance of composting/no waste of food. We will have a couple garden fresh recipes teaching you to use the whole plant. No waste! We will be presenting how to soil block your own blocks to start plants, and self watering containers. Great for kids to take a plant home!

Learn more about The Top Story:

https://the-top-story.business.site/

I am a homesteader committed to growing pesticide and GMO free food (meat, eggs, and produce) for my family.  I sell excess eggs and produce, and I make and sell garlic braids every year.  I also began making my own soaps, remedies  and toiletries  to get away from all the chemical additives in commercial products which were causing issues with my children.  This morphed in to my very small word to mouth business - Doe Valley Soaps.

I am going to show kids and adults how to make soil blocks, recipes for soil block soil,  homemade soil blockers and self watering planters. I will bring whatever fresh produce I have at the time, probably tomatoes, to sell as well as some garlic braids. I will also be selling homemade soap (bar and liquid), lip balm and comfrey salve. 

The Osburn Family with Sierra Valley 4-H  will be presenting small animals for an adorable petting zoo for kiddos!

 Sierra Valley Grange #466 was organized in Vinton in 1931. Grange is an agriculture-focused fraternal organization supporting rural Americans. Sierra Valley Grange hosts community weddings, funerals, 4H meetings, dinners and dances in the hall. The Vinton Cowboy Poetry Show was first held in the Sierra Valley Grange hall in 1985 and has been a popular annual event since. In addition to hosting several talented artists, the Grangers will be selling homemade apple pie by the slice, Vintage Quilt and Fiber Arts Display. As the Eastern Trailhead for the event, the Grange will also have Trail maps and information, passports and merchandise sales.

Find out more about the Sierra Valley Grange:  

www.SierraValleyGrange.org or https://www.facebook.com/SVGrange/

Goodwin general Store will be selling Grab-n-Go Breakfast Burritos, Cinnamon Rolls and coffee inside the Grange Trailhead

Cash Only

Sharon was an associate artist with 18 Hands Gallery in Houston, TX from 2007 until their closing in 2017, participated in the Texas Clay Festival for many years and  received many awards for her work in shows across the country.  She has also taught workshops in the US and Italy.

Her work is functional,  high fire porcelain with carbon-trap shino glazes whose surfaces reflect mountainous terrain.

See more of Sharon's work at

https://www.facebook.com/warringtonporcelain

See more of Lucia's work at

https://www.facebook.com/dogwalkcrochet

We make hand crafted leather items such as belts, wallets, earrings, knife cases. We also make crocheted hats.