Oregon State Fair celebrates 150th year
Harking back to when they had to find a place to park a horse, communicate with a telegraph, read a newspaper (gasp!), drink from a well, and grow or shoot things for food, the Oregon State Fair celebrates its 150th anniversary, Aug. 28 through Sept. 7 in Salem.
Crazy Fun, the theme of the sesquicentennial year, has been happening since Day One, organizers say. History tells us that the Oregon State Agricultural Society and Oregon Fruit Growers Association planted the, er, seeds for the fair in 1858, a year before Oregon statehood. The goal was to share ideas about living well in our state and its still the goal. The first official fair happened in October 1861 at Oregon City and then relocated to Salem the next year big news in these parts, but not exactly nationwide because of the notable conflict between the states.
It kept growing from there missing a couple years because of big events, such as the latter stages of World War II, and almost being skipped because of a fire to a bunch of structures in 1967. But then-Gov. Tom McCall wanted the doings to go on, and the people persevered.
The event now is run by the Oregon State Parks & Recreation Department at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. So, here we are in 2015, and people are driving hybrid cars, talking on cell phones, reading news on the Internet, drinking bottled water, and eating processed food (sometimes). And, the fair continues to be the gathering place for all things cool about Oregon.
There are street performers, horse competitions, canine agility tests, reptiles from around the world, carnival rides, nightly fireworks and, of course, a stellar concert lineup (free with fair admission, or upgrade seating with purchased ticket): Everclear, 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28; Gary Allan, 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29; Becky G., 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30; Gabriel Iglesias, 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31; Vince Gill, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1; Casting Crowns, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2; Jerrod Nieman, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4; Eric Burdon & The Animals, 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5; and Kelsea Ballerini, Dan & Shay, 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7. Another highlight: La Familia Day, a day of free activities and entertainment focused on Hispanic culture, Sept. 6.
Animals? Therell be animal-themed attractions dinosaurs, dogs, horses, livestock, reptiles. The Great Western Dairy Expo, Sept. 5 to 7, features an all-breed dairy show.
Subjects and activities involving humans include a spelling bee, STEM program, art, calligraphy, photography, poetry, crafts and hobbies, paper arts, baked and preserved foods, decorated cakes and confectionary arts, table decorating, farm and garden, honey and hive products, floral, needlework and clothing, quilting, felting/spinning/weaving.
Culinary contests include Bobs Best Home-baked Bread Contest (Sept. 4) and Gerry Frank judging the Chocolate Cake Contest (Sept. 6) for the 56th year.
Another event you might want to take in is the History of the Oregon State Fair discussion, by author Steve Heine, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5.
Daily admission is $6 for adults 12 years old and up, $6 for kids and seniors (62-over), with pre-sale prices slightly lower. The schedule: Aug. 28 to 30, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sept. 4 to 6, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Labor Day Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For complete information: www.oregonstatefair.org.