Elder projects and events bring us together in many ways.
Retreats, parties, Meet 'n' Greet, potlucks, spiritual gatherings, campground and Still Living Room work parties have all been imagined and made a reality by Elders.
In addition, many projects such as Meet the Candidates, FARTS, Geezer Pleezer, Late night buses and Archives have been started by Elders.
Scroll down for descriptions of these current and past happenings.
If you have ideas about creating an Elder Event, or reviving an event we are no longer holding, we will enthusiastically support the efforts!
Retreats, parties, Meet 'n' Greet, potlucks, spiritual gatherings, campground and Still Living Room work parties have all been imagined and made a reality by Elders.
In addition, many projects such as Meet the Candidates, FARTS, Geezer Pleezer, Late night buses and Archives have been started by Elders.
Scroll down for descriptions of these current and past happenings.
If you have ideas about creating an Elder Event, or reviving an event we are no longer holding, we will enthusiastically support the efforts!
Retreats
Each year, the Elders committee organizes a spring and fall retreat. Past retreat brainstorming sessions have yielded important Fair projects such as FARTS, Still Living Room, Timeline murals, Geezer Pleezer, KOCF and more. The spring retreat places a bigger emphasis on planning for the July event.
Historically, the retreats have taken place onsite at Alice’s. They are usually two days long, and many folks spend the night.
Meetings are held throughout the day with plenty of breaks and time to socialize and wander about. Meals are generally potluck and one or two Elders volunteer to host the event.
Everyone is welcome.
Historically, the retreats have taken place onsite at Alice’s. They are usually two days long, and many folks spend the night.
Meetings are held throughout the day with plenty of breaks and time to socialize and wander about. Meals are generally potluck and one or two Elders volunteer to host the event.
Everyone is welcome.
Geezer Pleezer
The Geezer is an electric golf cart that transports Elders and others around the Fair.
During the Fair, rides are given to requested locations anywhere outside the Eight.
Pre-Fair, the Geezer is allowed within the Eight. It was started by Chris Browne.
During the Fair, rides are given to requested locations anywhere outside the Eight.
Pre-Fair, the Geezer is allowed within the Eight. It was started by Chris Browne.
Meet 'n' Greet
The Meet 'n' Greet is a big party specifically to honor all Elders. It happens on Thursday of the Fair at Alice’s firepit. Each year has a different theme. A team of Elders led by Molly and Kay will put on a banquet of snacks, wine and non-alcoholic drinks. Listen to live music, eat yummy food, and connect with friends.
Holiday Party
The Holiday party is in December. It is organized by the Elder’s committee and has been at the WOW hall for many years. In 2020 we had a virtual holiday party.
This party is usually a potluck and Eric Nicholson has provided live music for all to enjoy while socializing with new and old friends.
This party is usually a potluck and Eric Nicholson has provided live music for all to enjoy while socializing with new and old friends.
June Potluck
The June potluck is a combination of an Elders’ committee meeting and a social potluck at Kay’s place in Pleasant Hill.
It is a great time to get all the final arrangements made for the Elders' projects at the OCF and a excellent opportunity for folks who want to connect in as helpers at the OCF.
It is a great time to get all the final arrangements made for the Elders' projects at the OCF and a excellent opportunity for folks who want to connect in as helpers at the OCF.
Late Night Trips
Late Night Trips 2023 is back! For more info, follow this link: LNT2023
The Late Night Trips coordinators are seeking additional volunteers. If you'd like to find out more about this opportunity, send an email to ocflatenighttrips@gmail.com.
The Late Night Trips coordinators are seeking additional volunteers. If you'd like to find out more about this opportunity, send an email to ocflatenighttrips@gmail.com.
The Story of Late Night Trips
Many wrist-banded Fair-goers love attending the Fair and staying late but prefer to go home at night, rather than pitching a tent and sleeping on the ground. Enter Jerry Joffe!
Jerry recalls attending either a LUMP or Plath Planning committee meeting back in 2017, and the issues of too many parked vehicles and over-crowded camping came up. Jerry had dreamed of a late-night bus some time ago, and now he saw an opportunity to alleviate two problems by making late night transportation a reality.
It was 2017 pre-fair, and with no budget and little time for planning, Jerry took on the risk and responsibility to implement the service. In exchange, the Fair agreed to provide access and infrastructure, and pay for insurance. Jerry forged ahead and hired a bus and driver. Between the cost of the bus, a driver, and some advertising, he paid around $1,000 up front. Doing the math, Jerry figured that if he charged $20 per weekend for a bus pass and got 50 passengers, he would break even.
The first Late Night Trips program went well. Jerry broke even with 50 passengers!
In the fall of 2017, Jerry submitted a report to Fair staff, and the Fair agreed to incorporate the Late Night Trips program into the 2018 Fair. It was no longer Jerry’s financial responsibility, yet he continued to volunteer as the coordinator. 2018 and 2019 Late Night Trips were an even bigger success. Ridership increased and included a Thursday night run.
Other fun facts about Late Night Trips for inquiring minds who need to know!
If Late Night Trips is to continue, a new coordinator is needed. Jerry is retiring from the position and will mentor the new coordinator for the 2023 Fair. Three additional crew members will also be needed to assist. If this position sounds like something right for you, contact Jerry Joffe at ocflatetrips@gmail.com.
O.K. Who’s on this bus?
Many wrist-banded Fair-goers love attending the Fair and staying late but prefer to go home at night, rather than pitching a tent and sleeping on the ground. Enter Jerry Joffe!
Jerry recalls attending either a LUMP or Plath Planning committee meeting back in 2017, and the issues of too many parked vehicles and over-crowded camping came up. Jerry had dreamed of a late-night bus some time ago, and now he saw an opportunity to alleviate two problems by making late night transportation a reality.
It was 2017 pre-fair, and with no budget and little time for planning, Jerry took on the risk and responsibility to implement the service. In exchange, the Fair agreed to provide access and infrastructure, and pay for insurance. Jerry forged ahead and hired a bus and driver. Between the cost of the bus, a driver, and some advertising, he paid around $1,000 up front. Doing the math, Jerry figured that if he charged $20 per weekend for a bus pass and got 50 passengers, he would break even.
The first Late Night Trips program went well. Jerry broke even with 50 passengers!
In the fall of 2017, Jerry submitted a report to Fair staff, and the Fair agreed to incorporate the Late Night Trips program into the 2018 Fair. It was no longer Jerry’s financial responsibility, yet he continued to volunteer as the coordinator. 2018 and 2019 Late Night Trips were an even bigger success. Ridership increased and included a Thursday night run.
Other fun facts about Late Night Trips for inquiring minds who need to know!
- Late Night Trips is run by a small crew consisting of a coordinator (Jerry J. has served as coordinator for 2017, 2018, 2019, and is mentoring a new coordinator for 2023) and 3 crew volunteers.
- There was no Late Night Trips service in 2022 due to low volunteer numbers and Covid logistics.
- Technically speaking, Late Night Trips is not an Elders project but was started by an Elder!
- Stephanie Talbott has been making colorful bus pass laminates for Late Night Trippers.
- The bus is hired out from a man in Veneta who has his own party bus business.
- The bus has comfortable seats.
- Jerry’s wife creates music playlists for the bus. It’s a party!
If Late Night Trips is to continue, a new coordinator is needed. Jerry is retiring from the position and will mentor the new coordinator for the 2023 Fair. Three additional crew members will also be needed to assist. If this position sounds like something right for you, contact Jerry Joffe at ocflatetrips@gmail.com.
O.K. Who’s on this bus?
OCF Archives
Terry Baxter
Terry Baxter and Jerry Joffe championed establishing an official archives and after much grey hair, finally got the Board to agree to the concept and then asked management to appoint Terry Baxter (a professional archivist) the official OCF archivist. There is lots of work that Elders could help with in the archives. This includes scanning, photo identifications, oral history transcription, and basic preservation activities. They usually meet once a month to organize what has been collected and other tasks.
Fair Area Rapid Transit System (FARTS)
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Robert Jacobs
Purple Passion and Pink waiting for the next fair!
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Love makes the wheels go ‘round!
The “FARTS” for “Fair Area Rapid Transit Service,” was started by OCF Elder Chris Browne in 2009 or 2010. Chris tried his idea out on Robert Jacobs and asked him for help and Robert became the second driver. Robert had school bus driving experience, and other professional driving as well as knowledge of the parking lots from many years of riding horseback security and horseback traffic crew. All the drivers of the first few years were Elders, and most had professional driving experience. It was called “FARTS” for “Fair Area Rapid Transit Service,” but also because the first bus was (is) diesel and ran on biodiesel/vegetable oil that smelled like…., (opinions differed). Chris and Robert did some of the fix-up of the first bus (Pink); then a second bus was donated (Purple Passion), which is ‘street legal’ and runs on gasoline. One year we ran three buses. It was completely run through Elders for the first four or five years, then was gradually taken over by the Fair, run as its own crew. Cinnamon Peel was our first non-elder driver and has become a leader in the crew. After ten years of successful transportation around the parking lots, someone in the Fair hierarchy (or insurance company) thought that maybe some of the drivers were too old. Robert was ready to retire. Thank you FARTS and thank you to the Elders who got the Fair Area Rapid Transit Service set up for the Fair Family at Oregon Country Fair. 
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Meet the candidates
The Board asked Robert Jacobs to run the Candidate Forum, and he ran it for a number of years. It became an Elder sponsored event.
Then it went to the Get out the Vote group.
It was important because it got broadcast out to people outside the Eugene area, and thereby broadened voting information. Rich Locus helped with the filming and broadcasting on internet. Paxton was also crucially involved in helping, on years when he wasn’t a candidate.
Then it went to the Get out the Vote group.
It was important because it got broadcast out to people outside the Eugene area, and thereby broadened voting information. Rich Locus helped with the filming and broadcasting on internet. Paxton was also crucially involved in helping, on years when he wasn’t a candidate.
Bell ringing Ceremony
This event happened Friday of the Fair with the purpose of welcoming new Elders. It has been replaced by the Meet 'n' Greet.
Old Timers Picnic
This event was started in 2009 and the last picnic was held in 2015. It was originally hosted by then Fair manager Leslie Scott. She eventually asked Elders to take over when she became too busy.
The Old Timers Picnic took place in late June near the Youth Stage and eventually moved to the Blue Moon Stage. The gathering featured social time, live music, and food. Main camp kitchen kindly provided the meal and Elders provided dessert and drinks.
Many of the invitees included Elders who were no longer participating in the Fair. The event was an expression of gratitude for those Elders who were instrumental in getting the Fair started, and recognition for the contributions of all Elders.
The Old Timers Picnic took place in late June near the Youth Stage and eventually moved to the Blue Moon Stage. The gathering featured social time, live music, and food. Main camp kitchen kindly provided the meal and Elders provided dessert and drinks.
Many of the invitees included Elders who were no longer participating in the Fair. The event was an expression of gratitude for those Elders who were instrumental in getting the Fair started, and recognition for the contributions of all Elders.
Spirit Walk
Kay conducted the Spirit Walk. This event has not happened for a few years.
