NEWS

Oregon State Fair will finish summer

Summer’s Big Finish, the 2022 Oregon State Fair will open on Friday, Aug. 26 and run through Labor Day, Sept. 5.

The eleven-day event will include the elements fair-goers expect including livestock, horse shows, 4-H competitions and creative living competitions that range from agriculture to STEM.

The Gerry Frank Memorial Chocolate Cake Contest, presented by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Sunday, Sept. 4. Gerry Frank judged the contest for 60 years until his passing earlier this year. Tom Hoffert, CEO of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, will judge the contest this year.

Added to this year’s fair is a variety of events (all are free with fair admission):

• iFlip—high-flying daredevils.  Daily: 2:30 p.m., 6 p.m and  8 p.m. Location: Family Fun Camp  

• Magic of Rafael—World renowned magician and illusionist  Daily: 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Location: Family Fun Stage

• Daredevils and Wheels Moto Stunt Spectacular—Daredevil Circus is a live stunt spectacular combining motorcycle stunts and extreme aerial death-defying performances. Weekends: 1:00 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.Location: West Pavilion Lawn 

• Professor Smart Science Show— Performer Todd Victor brings science to life with a combination of juggling, comedy, storytelling and demos. Daily: 11:30 a.m.,  2 p.m. and  6:30 p.m. Location: Family Fun Stage (look for blue and yellow tents) 

• Hell on Hooves—Rough Stock Rodeo includes bareback riding, barrel racing, and saddle broncs – not to mention a high-stakes poker game surrounded by bucking bulls. Dates: August 26 and 27 at 7 p.m.  Location: Pavilion

• Rodeo Lights and Summer Nights—After the Hell on Hooves rodeo – stick around and get down in the dirt on the Pavilion dance floor with Rodeo Lights & Summer Nights Dates: Friday,  Aug.  26 (after Hell on Hooves) with Ned LeDoux  and Saturday, August 27 (after Hell on Hooves)  with Maddie & Tae. Location: Pavilion 

Fast Pass— Pavilion events are free with fair admission but they are first-come, first-served, while space lasts. Visitors can guarantee entry to any Pavilion event by purchasing a $5  Fast Pass for that day. Fast Passes also grant early access to the Pavilion, and on August 26 & 27 Fast Pass holders can dance on the dirt floor of the Pavilion and access a private bar during the Ned LeDoux and Maddie & Tae concerts. Fast Passes do not include Fair Admission. 

Rockstar parking lot—Parky like a rockstar in the special Rockstar parking lot, across from the new Green Gate. Parky Like a Rockstar passes do not include fair admission.

Returning to the fair this year—

• Food trucks are back. They will be located in our Homegrown Oregon area in the floral gardens—a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy a meal tucked away from fair activity.  There will be a bar, local artisans, food trucks, and music, with access just steps away from the Parky Like a Rockstar lot.

• New fair food choices will include Alotta Wood Fired Pizza and virgin pineapple coladas, Dee’s Lush Kitchen (healthy vegan and fish or tofu plates), Truly Med with deep fried oysters, calamari and garlic fries, Sling-in Weiner, a New York-style street hot dog cart with high quality assorted dogs.

• Oregon Dairy Women, this remains a staple of the fair, with soft ice cream treats ran daily by dairy princesses and volunteers. A large ice cream cone is $4. 

• Motor Mania—High-octane enthusiasts can feel the rumble and smell the smoke with outrageous monster trucks doing crazy stunts.  Dates: September 3 and  4, 2 p.m. in the Pavilion

 • Fire Finale—Exotic fire dancers heat up the stage with this favorite nighttime fair finale.  Nightly: 9:45-10:15 p.m. Location: Spirit of Oregon Stage

• Dia de la familia—Two fun-filled Sundays of bilingual and bicultural entertainment and activities.

Dates: August 28 and September 4, live entertainment starts at 10 a.m. and runs through the Fire Finale.

Location: Spirit of Oregon Stage 

The Columbia Bank Concert Series will staged at the L.B. Day Amphitheater, at the fairgrounds.

The concerts scheduled are:

Friday, Aug. 26: Ned LeDoux

Saturday, Aug. 27: Maddie & Tae

Monday: Aug. 29: Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts ($40-$100)

Tuesday, Aug. 30: Shaggy ($40-$100)

Wednesday, Aug. 31: Bethel Music ($40-$100) (Bethel Music is a worship movement that exists to lead people’s hearts into profound experiences with God’s presence that fuels personal, regional and global revival.)

Thursday, Sept. 1: TLC ($40-$100)

Friday, Sept. 2: Scott McCreery—American Idol winner, 2011 ($40-$100)

Saturday, Sept. 3: The Beach Boys ($40-$75)

Sunday, Sept. 4: LaAdictiva

Monday, Sept. 5: Nelly (Doors open at 3 p.m.,show at 4 p.m.)

Doors open at 6 p.m., shows at 7 p.m.(except for the Nelly concert on Monday, Sept. 5).

Concert tickets available only at etix.com.

Single fair admission prices are: $8 for  pre-sale adult, $6 for pre-sale child and $1 for pre-sale senior.

Family four pack, general admission is $25

An 11 day season ticket is $44.95 (ID is required): A pre-sale round trip on the fair lit is $6

General parking is $5.