THE DRAGONS

FRED THE LITTER CRITTER (1973 to 1990) l(click on photos for larger view)

The original "Fred The Litter Critter", designed by Pat Blair was constructed of paper mache and was created by students of Dick Walsh at Medford College of Art in 1973. "Fred" was later covered with fiberglass using memorial funds from the Scharaga Family. His "keepers" were Jim and Nordith Scharaga. Jim was the "voice of Fred" until his sons, Isaac and Noah, took over. They continued with Fred until he was destroyed in a warehouse fire. FRED was a friend to all children who visited him and was used every summer for 17 years. He was named in a "Dragon Naming Contest" held by The Storytelling Guild. Jim, Bill and Patty Moore (parents, Tam and Ann Moore) submitted the winning entry.

Bertha Big Gulp, a garbage-eating whale, was created several years later to be used in Mothergoose Land. Bertha was also named by children in a name the whale contest. Cherie Hilts and Susie Wright were Co-Directors and spearheaded the construction of Bertha in about 1979 or 1980. (A digital photo from your file would replace this sketch! Please email it to patblai@gmail.com.)

NOTE: Our garbage-eating mascots, "Fred The Litter Critter" and "Bertha Big Gulp" perished in a warehouse fire after the 1990 Children's FESTIVAL. 

 It was traumatic for all of us but fortunately we were able to replace both of them with insurance funds. Additional funding help came from the Medford Rogue Rotary .

Carolyn Barrett, Cindy Hoffbuhr and Emily Mostue, Children's Festival Co-Co-Co Directors at that time, were instrumental in seeing that the new improved dragons were constructed.

OUR NEW DRAGONS, CREATED IN 1991

Rosabelle: was sculpted by Talent artist Claire Barr-Wilson.

Pebbles: was constructed by Eagle Point artist, Jim Quinby.

"Pebbles", our smaller dragon hangs out on the Upper Hill just below the concession stand.  Pebbles also travels to parades on the 4th of July and alternates locations with Rosabelle. . This is of Pebbles before the "redo" which was done in 2005.

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LULU: was constructed by Claire Barr-Wilson.

This is LuLu our newest dragon .. Just a baby but has an appetite for recycled items only!          

The "new dragons" were ready and introduced for "THE YEAR OF THE DRAGONS", 1991. Since they only appear for a few days each summer they stay relatively "well-preserved" as dragons do! Children always tug on their tongues to persuade each dragon to open wide and eventually there needs to be some minor corrective surgery done to replace the ragged tongue! It is amazing, though, that there doesn't seem to be a problem with a digestive track now and then! These critters eat paper cups, programs, popcorn bags, snow cone papers, and even leaves and who knows what else! Miss Manners is trying to teach them not to talk with their mouths full and not to gulp down their food!

"Rosabelle" is our garbage-eating dragon. She is 10 feet tall, and 19 feet long! She eats, talks, and manages to enchant everyone. She also takes the Queen and children on a ride through the small towns of Central Point, Eagle Point and Ashland during alternating 4th of July parades. 

Rosabelle now sits on a site located in Mother Goose Land on the lower portion of Britt Park.

Two of Pat Blair's grandchildren riding on Rosabelle in the Eagle Point Parade.

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