Commissioned for love

In July, Mike Kortge proposed to festival employee Nan Fisher at fine jewelry artist Lance Heck's booth.

Fisher and Kortge had grown up together as best friends in The Dalles, Ore., but grew apart after graduating high school. Now both in their 60s, the pair reunited at the beginning of this year and fell in love.

After they got together, Fisher asked Kortge why he had never asked her out when they were younger.

"He said that, 'Well, I would've asked you out, but I was afraid you'd turn me down and that would've broken my heart,'" Fisher said.

Kortge came down from Oregon for a visit in July, and while walking the festival grounds July 24, he found a beautiful sapphire ring at Heck's booth and decided to drop down and pop the question right then and there.

"There wasn't anyone around until we got back up — and then there were all these people clapping," Fisher said.

One woman standing nearby asked when they met.

Kortge answered, "Kindergarten!"

The crowd laughed, and someone else called out, "What took you so long?" Fisher said with a laugh.

After the proposal, there were celebrations with both of their families.

"Everyone is so excited for us," Fisher said.

"I think we both strongly feel that when you reunite after what, 50 years, that it was just meant to be."