Oct. 6, 2021 — Mapleton’s 2021 Autumn Festival was held on Saturday at 10650 Highway 101, which is the site of the former Davidson Mill just west of Mapleton center. The event featured classic automobiles, a chili cook-off, vendors, plants, animals and music. 

The large open space was chosen as it allows for many people to gather in the outdoors, in close proximity to Mapleton’s small business district, with some social distancing possible. 

During the festival, the crowd moved between vendors and the music area.

Members of local veteran groups were on hand to post the colors and emergency responders from Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue, led by Fire Marshal Tony Miller, and Lane County Sheriff’s Office brought ladder trucks and other lifesaving equipment as part of a county-wide push to bring attention to Fire Safety Month, which occurs during October.

The event was organized by Mapleton-area resident Jami Crawford Sautner, who said she was pleased with the turnout and with the community wide support she received for the festival.

“I just want to thank so darned many people for making Saturday’s third Autumn Festival a success,” she said. “Sue and Phil Davidson allowing us to use the property was such a blessing.”

She also thanked her “amazing friend Amy Clawson,” who sang the National Anthem while the Florence Veterans of Foreign Wars Color Guard presented the flag ceremony. 

Clawson was the master of ceremonies and she entertained the crowd during the musical breaks. She has been a popular entertainer as well as a restaurant owner in this area for many years, just recently announcing the closure of the family restaurant Clawson’s Wheelhouse. 

Clawson received a warm response from the 200 or so people in attendance during her performance and throughout the day.

There were dozens of booths at the festival, which offered everything from homemade soap to visits farm animals to hand crafted floral displays and children’s clothing. There were people of all ages and the family friendly nature of the festival was apparent by the large number of young people in attendance. There was also lots of food available.

“We had our second Chili Cookoff, with Millie Rochon winning first place in the Judged division and Diana McDaniel winning first place in the Taster's Choice division,” Sautner said.

Oregon State University Extension Services had a large display table at the event to provide information to prospective future students and to advise individuals with questions regarding their animals and livestock.

“Thank you, also, to Gary McDaniel and the Rhody Cruisers and everybody else that brought out their beautiful cars to share with us,” Sautner said.

Local classic car clubs included the Oregon Coast Hot Rods and the Cascade Corvette Club, which had dozens of colorful automobiles on display. Visitors could wander through the rows of brightly painted vehicles while listening to performances from Sydney Crapser and The Johnny Kallas Band.

Sautner is planning to present an Autumn Fall Festival next year, but she is also planning to hold a Halloween event this month and, later this year, a winter holiday gathering on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Santa and his live Reindeer during the Mapleton Christmas Festival. 

For more information, call 541-999-9254.