The Oregon State Fair runs August Friday 26 – Monday September 5
[SALEM, OR] Every year the Oregon State Fair aims to raise the bar on fun, food, games and entertainment, and this year will be no exception. The 156th Oregon State Fair kicks off on Friday August 26 and will run through Labor Day, Monday September 5.“There is a reason why we are Oregon’s biggest party,” said Fair spokesperson, Kimberly Jacobsen. “Our Fair team works hard all year to scout new and diverse entertainment acts and attractions and cultivate fresh experiences. We combine those with the Fair traditions that families love and that keeps people coming back every year for Summer’s Big Finish!”
Columbia Bank Concert Series Line up
This year we have an all-star lineup of headliners performing in our L.B. Day Amphitheater. Doors open at 6:00 pm and shows begins at 7:00 pm, with the exception of Nelly.
- Rascal Flatts lead singer, Gary LeVox – August 29
- Grammy Award-winning reggae artist, Shaggy – August 30
- Dove Award-winning Bethel Music – August 31
- Pioneering R&B girl group TLC – September 1
- Country music superstar Scotty McCreery – September 2
- Rock and Roll Hall of Famers THE BEACH BOYS – September 3
- Popular Banda group La Adictiva Banda San Jose De Mesillas – September 4
- Best-selling hip hop artist Nelly – September 5 (doors open at 3:00 pm and concert starts at 4:00 pm)
Concert tickets are ONLY available on oregonstatefair.org via our ticket seller Etix. Reserved concert tickets start at $40 and include free Fair admission. Premium tickets for VIPPlus Suite Seats are $100, and include free parking, souvenir lanyard, priority entrance, special food service, access to a VIP beverage bar, and a reserved seat in the premium center section. We offer a limited selection of free seating with paid Fair admission on a first-come, first-served basis, while space lasts.
After a two-year hiatus, Pavilion events are back at the Oregon State Fair and free with your fair admission, while space lasts:
Hell on Hooves Summer Showdown Finale Rodeo – August 26 & 27 / 7:00 PM
Get set for two nights of bareback riding, barrel racing, and poker with buckin’ Bulls!
Rodeo Lights & Summer Nights FREE Concerts – August 26 & 27 / following the rodeo
Stick around after the Hell on Hooves Rodeo for some dirt-stomping concert fun. Fast Pass ticket holders have access to dancing on the Pavilion dirt floor and a private bar.
Ned LeDoux – August 26
Maddie & Tae – August 27
Jaripeo Espectacular – August 28 / 2:00 PM
Enjoy bull riding, Ixtapa dancing, and horses during this ultimate family fun event.
Motor Mania – September 3 & 4 / 2:00 PM
High-octane enthusiasts can feel the rumble and smell the smoke with outrageous monster trucks doing crazy stunts.
The Oregon State Fair is proud to offer the incredible rides and games provided and operated by Portland’s Rainier Amusements. There are 50 rides scheduled to appear this year, including news rides – Freakout, Bumper Cars, Music Fest, and Alibaba. We also offer 17 Cub Country Kiddie Rides, always under the watchful eyes of trained safety inspectors. Save when you buy before August 26 on the Oregon State Fair website. Carnival rides begin at 11:00 am and wristbands are $45 in advance and $60 once the Fair begins. Wristbands are good for one day of unlimited rides for one person, plus, three games and a medium drink. Or purchase 125 game or ride tickets for $50! Games range from 1-12 tickets each and rides range from 10-12 tickets each.
New and not to miss
All Fair Attractions are free with paid Fair Admission.
iFlip – These high-flying daredevils put on an aerial thrill show that will have your heart pounding. Daily: 2:30 pm-3:00 pm / 6:00 pm-6:30 pm / 8:00 pm-8:30 pm in Family Fun Camp
Magic of Rafael – World renowned magician and illusionist Rafael will dazzle with mind blowing tricks that will leave you wondering just how he did it.
Daily: 12:30 pm-1:15 pm / 3:30 pm-4:15 pm / 7:15 pm– 8:00 pm on the Family Fun Camp Stage
Daredevils and Wheels Moto Stunt Spectacular – Combining Amazing Motorcycle Stunts and Extreme Aerial Death-Defying performances along with some of the most talented performers in the world. Daily: 1:00 pm-1:30 pm / 4:00 pm-4:30 pm / 6:00 pm-6:30 pm and an additional 8:00 pm- 8:30 pm show Friday, Saturday and Sunday, on the West Pavilion Lawn
Professor Smart Science Show – Performer Todd Victor brings science to life with a combination of juggling, comedy, storytelling, and demonstrations that will have the whole family laughing and learning.
Daily: 11:30 am-12:00 pm / 2:00 pm-2:30 pm / 6:30 pm-7:00 pm on the Family Fun Camp Stage
Fast Pass – Pavilion events are free with your 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.
Parky Like a Rockstar – Our special Rockstar Parking lot across from our new Green Gate. Once you park, just cross the street to the new private Green Gate leading you into Homegrown Oregon in the beautiful Green Acres Landscape Plaza, where you’ll find the art, food, and sounds of Oregon, including local artisans, food carts, and live music. Parky Like a Rockstar passes are $10 and do not include Fair Admission.
Food Trucks – Food trucks are back! They first made their debut in 2015. They are located in our Homegrown Oregon area in the beautiful Green Acres Landscape Plaza; a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy a meal tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Fair activity. Also enjoy a bar, local artisans, and live music. So far, we have six food trucks lined up for this area: Adam’s Rib BBQ, Bo & Vine, Bountiful Pies, Sushi Roll’n, The Dawg House, Geppetto’s Italian Restaurant and Chicken Shack. Oregon wine selections include Sweet Cheeks, Stoller Family Estate, Eola Hills, and Willamette Valley Vineyards, and Oregon beer selections include Gilgamesh, Deschutes, Rogue, and Crux.
Other Fair food newbies – Alotta Wood Fired Pizza and virgin pineapple coladas, Dee’s Lush Kitchen serving healthy vegan and fish or tofu plates, Truly Med with deep fried oysters, calamari and garlic fries, and Sling-in Weiner – a New York-style Street hot dog cart with high quality assorted dogs.
Fair traditions for the whole family
Livestock – Serious yet friendly competition is the name of the game for open class livestock at the Oregon State Fair. 4-H and FFA exhibitors put their best hoof forward in a quest for ribbons, premiums, and bragging rights. The Multi Breed Oregon State Fair Horse Show starts August 28, showcasing many breeds of horses over the course of 9 days. Multiple performances each day of various breeds starting at 9:00 am with special performances each evening showcasing the majestic Draft Horse.
Creative Living – One of the coolest aspects of the Oregon State Fair is the blending of the traditional with the cutting edge, all happening in the Creative Living Department. Discover displays, exhibits, demonstrations, and competitions that cover the full spectrum of life in Oregon. We feature many of the classic competitions such as Crafts, Culinary and Textiles along with new innovations, including Visual Arts and STEM Education competitions.
Luau Fire Finale – Exotic Fire dancers heat up the stage with this favorite nighttime Fire Finale tradition. You will be swaying your hips to this year’s Luau themed fire show. Nightly: 9:45 pm on the Spirit of Oregon Stage Presented By Spirit Mountain Casino.
Dia de la familia presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts – We have put together two fun-filled Sundays of bilingual and bicultural entertainment and activities with Dia de la familia,
August 28 and September 4 on the Spirit of Oregon Stage Presented By Spirit Mountain Casino.
FairLift – This Fair-time favorite lets you take in a bird’s eye view of the entire Fair on our popular FairLift – a 15-minute ride over the Fair midway from 30 feet up. Advanced FairLift ticket pricing is $6, the price increases to $9 when the Fair begins.
“It takes a lot of teamwork and coordination to put on an event of this magnitude,” said Kim Grewe-Powell, CEO of the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center. “We are extremely grateful for our very talented Fair staff, and the hundreds of seasonal workers and volunteers who partner with us to make the Oregon State Fair an event to remember. I am so proud of our 2022 Fair lineup, and I invite everyone come out and enjoy Summer’s Big Finish.”
Fair links
Tickets: (Fair/Carnival/Concerts/Fast Pass/Parking) https://oregonstatefair.org/tickets
Daily Schedules: https://oregonstatefair.org/daily-schedules/
Newsletter: (latest news and contests) https://oregonstatefair.org/newsletter
Media Kit: (with image downloads) https://oregonstatefair.org/business-center/media-kit/
About the Fair
The Oregon State Fair is a public/private entity owned by the people of Oregon. The Fair began in 1861 in Oregon City. In 1862, the Fair moved to the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, the State Capitol. The Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center hosts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year, with premier concerts, art, culture, rides, agricultural exhibits, and livestock exhibits. Throughout the year, the Fair and Expo Center works with multiple agencies to help facilitate emergency and disaster response needs. For more information, visit oregonstatefair.org or contact us at info@oregonstatefair.org
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