🎢 Your guide to the Oregon State Fair

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From concerts and a carnival to crafts and competition, the Oregon State Fair returns to Salem from August 23 to September 2. Here’s an overview to help you make the most of the 11-day event and its 185 acres to explore.

ENTERTAINMENT

The perfect end to a fun-filled evening, check out one, or all, of the nine concerts at this fair this year (sorry, no comedy). Headlining performances take place in the LB Day Amphitheater and include —

Friday, Aug 23: Craig Morgan, country

Saturday, Aug 24: Steel Pulse, reggae (get 50% off tickets while supplies last)

Monday, Aug 26: Goo Goo Dolls, rock

Tuesday, Aug 27: Yung Gravy, hip-hop/modern trap

Wednesday, Aug 28: Josh Turner, country

Thursday, Aug 29: Ludacris, rap

Friday, Aug 30: Daya, pop (get 50% off tickets while supplies last)

Saturday, Aug 31: Foreigner, classic rock

Monday, Sept 2: Huntley with special guest Jacquie Roar, Winner of The Voice and Former Voice Contestants (get 50% off tickets while supplies last)

Reserved seat tickets range in price and are available here. A limited number of free seats are available with general fair admission on a first-come, first-served basis while space lasts. 

But the amphitheater isn’t the only stage, you can also find performances —

  • on the Spirit of Oregon Stage near the food court.
  • in the Green Acres Landscape Plaza in the Artisans Village. 
  • at the Rooftop Bar up the stairs on the east side of the Jackman-Long Building, where you will also find elevated views and a variety of adult beverages. Americana tender-rock musician Jacob Westfall is scheduled to play nightly through the run of the fair.
  • on the Taphouse stage where you can hear the Boondock Boys Acoustic Duo and The Strolling DJ.

THE FAIR LIFT

Get a bird’s eye view from the Fair Lift where you take in the sights, sounds and smells from 30 feet in the air. As always, tickets purchased in advance get the best price of only $7 for a round trip no matter your age. Buy on-site and it’s $10 round trip, $7 adult/$3 child for one way.

THE ARTISANS VILLAGE

Lush gardens and local art awaits. Shop a showcase of arts, crafts and wares from 15 local artisans and even make some art yourself. Willamette Art Center, sponsor of the village, offers visitors an opportunity to paint a pot, have it raku fired, and pick it up within a few hours. A very popular activity, it is also WAC’s main fundraiser of the year. You can also enjoy a glass of wine and/or snack from a food truck. The Artisans Village is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

CREATIVE LIVING

Showcasing talent from across the state, the Creative Living Department housed in Columbia Hall features displays, exhibits and demonstrations from six subcategories: Agriculture & Horticulture, Crafts & Hobbies, Culinary & Entertaining, STEM, Textiles and Visual Arts. 

And if you want to take in a true fair experience, try your hand—er, stomach—at the pie eating contest, 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 24 and Friday, August 30 in Columbia Hall.

MEET YOUR NEXT FAVORITE AUTHOR

Find a new read at the Oregon Authors Table, located in Columbia Hall between quilts and cakes. 53 authors will be participating in shifts. See the schedule of who’s tabling when and their book signing times here.

CHOCOLATE CAKE CONTEST

It could be one of the most notable parts of the fair. The Gerry Frank Memorial Chocolate Cake Contest truly is the sweetest tradition paying homage to one of Salem’s favorites whose spirit lives on…through cake. 

Want to enter? Bring your best chocolate layer cake to the fair on Sept 1 prior to when the contest starts at 2 p.m. Contest participants receive free entry to the fair that day. In addition to bragging rights, there are five gift card prizes to be won.

THE CARNIVAL

The carnival boasts more than 50 rides, including 10 new ones such as the Big Splash, Insomniac, Dune Buggy Cambo and Black Out. Rides cost about $4 to $6.50. Advance purchase will get you the best price, and attending mid-week has it’s perks, too — a Monday to Friday wristband is only $45 when purchased online. 

AGRICULTURE

Kids can get a taste of farm life with the Barnyard Friends hands-on petting farm where you can meet (and feed) goats, sheep, pigs, miniature cattle, alpacas, and a mini horse and donkey. 

Plus, see what it’s like to milk a cow. Try your hand at sheep sheering. Collect eggs and more. 

See milking demonstrations 4 to 8 p.m. every day at the Dairygold Milking Parlor, located in teh Livestock area.

GETTING THERE

The Oregon State Fairgrounds are located at 2330 17th St NE. 

The fair is open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, except Sept 1 when it is open until 11 p.m. Carnival rides begin at 11 a.m. daily.

Admission tickets are available online in advance or at the gate.

  • Adult (ages 13-64): $10 in advance; $12 at the gate.
  • Child Admission (ages 6-12): $8 in advance; $10 at the gate.
  • Seniors (ages 65 and greater) are $1 in advance; $3 at the gate.
  • Kids ages 5 and younger are free.
  • A Family 4 Pack for 2 adults and 2 kids is $25 in advance.
  • Get an 11-Day Pass for $25.
  • Parking starts at $5. (Tip: You can get a free parking pass with any in-store purchase at Oregon Wilco Farm Stores) while supplies last. Find a Wilco store here.)

Click here for online purchase.

Need ticket help? Call 971-701-6567.