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Sisters, Oregon
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The contents of the on-line edition of The Nugget represent a selection among the stories that appear in the weekly print edition.

The folks behind the folk festival
By Shawn Strannigan

It was the musicians who kept feet stomping and hands clapping at the Sisters Folk Festival, but there was a small army of folks working behind the scenes to bring it all together.

"It's amazing that just seven people get the job done," said Renee Perin, one of the seven members of the Sisters Folk Festival Board.

A devoted fan of folk music, Perin has been a loyal festival attendee. When she learned several years ago that help was needed behind the scenes, Perin volunteered her services.

"I started out just coordinating volunteers," said Perin, "and it kind of evolved into this--I'm now in charge of the Main Stage venue which entails an immense amount of work.

"I make sure the restrooms are set up, and get all the vendors for the event. I'm in charge of tent set-up and tear down, I make sure we have all necessary electricity and lighting. Security and sales are my responsibility and I still oversee and train 65 volunteers on top of all that!"

According to Perin, each member of the Folk Festival Board has a different area of responsibility.

"Bobb Carlsmith, Dick Sandvik and Jim Cornelius handle the musical end of things," Perin explained. "They choose the musicians and deal with contracts. They find people to run sound.

"John Soutter oversees the internet aspect of the festival and sales," Perin said. "I'd say that Kathy Deggendorfer is the orchestrator of the whole event, making sure all the bases are covered."

Deggendorfer and Sandvik also spend much of the year developing relationships with sponsors.

"And Fred (Macaulou) -- well, he does anything that anyone needs doing," Perin said.

Volunteers answered questions, and sold tickets and CDs at the Village Green.

Others offered the musicians refreshments over at the fire hall.

Jim Cornelius managed the events at the Bronco Billy stage -- with the help of a few good volunteers.

"I love doing this -- I'm a live music junkie," said Karly Drake-Lusby. She has served as Cornelius' assistant to the songwriting contest for the past five years.

"At a folk festival, you get to talk to the musicians, not just see them behind some glass wall," Lusby said. "That's exciting to me."

Will and Gaynelle Mulford checked tickets during the song writers' contest, and also helped out at various locations throughout the weekend.

"This is our third year of volunteering," said Gaynelle. "This year we did inventory for all the CDs, sold tickets, and checked tickets at different stages."

"We've been fans of the festival and one year just went and asked if we could help," said her husband, Will. "They are always looking for volunteers."

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