The 156th Oregon State Fair in Salem kicked off Friday with a full schedule of magic shows, acrobats and fried foods, leading up to Labor Day.
This year’s lineup includes some familiar faces to early-teens: Shaggy, TLC and Nelly are slated to perform, as well as some country favorites: Scotty McCreery and Gary LeVox, lead singer of Rascal Flatts. Concert tickets are available on the fair’s website.
This year, fairs can also celebrate Latin American culture through Dia de la Familia, a series of bilingual activities and performances. On Sundays during the fair, families can play raffle, a Mexican game similar to bingo, or learn the art of tortilla painting.
Of course, there will be plenty of explosive monster truck fun via Motor Mania and a demolition derby at the Pavilion, an arena that has reopened after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll want to get to these scheduled events early, as admission is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Other shows include the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, which features “only quality lumberjack contestants,” as its website puts it. These quality lumberjacks will perform a variety of log rolling and felling techniques.
A Bull Rider with the Oregon State Fair’s Jaripeo Spectacular Performance.
Oregon State Fair
There’s also a magic show, top-dancing stunts, acrobats, a mesmerizing comedy show, bull riding and “other broncos” at the grand finale rodeo.
The Oregon State Fair runs through September 5th. Tickets are $12 for adults, $3 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for children between 6 and 12. Admission for children 5 years and older is free. It is open from 10am to 10pm Monday to Thursday and stays open an hour later on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
