By Jim Bryant Contributing writer The Eatonville Lions Arts Festival was back for its 45th year, and so was 95-year-old Western artist Fred Oldfield, who has attended each one since the first one in 1972. Oldfield, an oils artist, was raised on an Indian reservation in Yakima, and worked on Indian-owned cattle ranches. "I basically rode with the Indians herding cows during cattle rounds,GÇ¥ he said, "Since I loved to paint, I started painting Western art scenes from what was seen on the reservation and during the roundups.GÇ¥ Since retiring at the age of 60, he's been painting full-time. For Margo Fox, who's from Burbank, Wash., recently retired as an electronics expert and now is a full-time oil painter, the weekend of Aug. 5-7 was her first visit to the festival. "I never had any time to attend outdoor shows. This is my sixth,GÇ¥ Fox said, who noted she "couldn't have asked for better weatherGÇ¥ than last Friday, the opening day. "And it's held in such a beautiful location,GÇ¥ she added. The three-day event ran from Aug. 5 to Aug. 7 and endured some rain while featuring more than 100 Northwest artists who displayed their paintings, sculptures, photography, glasswork, pottery, jewelry and quilting at Glacier View Park in Eatonville. Over the weekend, festival goers were entertained by the Kyle Murdock Band as well as local amateur talent who performed on a karaoke stage. Refreshments included mouth-watering roast beef sandwiches, which were cooked over a wood-fired smoker, hamburgers, hot dogs and curly fries. Festival proceeds supported the Lions club's local programs and services, including eye exams for the disadvantaged, hearing aids, and student scholarships.
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