Watch the sights and sounds from past Oregon State Fairs
The 160th Oregon State Fair runs from Friday, Aug. 22, through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1.
Twelve new carnival rides and more than 30 new food vendors, in addition to new attractions, are slated for the 160th anniversary of the Oregon State Fair which opens on Aug. 22.
The splashiest new attraction will be Roaring Riptides Live!, featuring a 15,000-gallon pool and stage showcasing jet ski aerial acts and an ensemble of dancers and acrobats. The show is free with fair admission.
One of the new rides will be the Diamond Ferris Wheel, touted as a taller Ferris wheel than ever before, although state fair officials are not sure how much taller.
Fairgoers also should be on the lookout for Bigfoot. Plausible sightings are anticipated in the National Resource Area near the Horse Stadium.
The state fair runs through Labor Day, Sept. 1.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of what’s new this year:
Oregon State Fair will have a dozen new carnival rides
Rainier Amusements of Portland, which has been providing thrills at the state fair since 2014, will feature 55 rides.
The 10 “most spectacular rides,” according to the fair’s website, are: Black, the Giant Wheel, Rampage, Freak Out, Insomniac, Sleigh Ride, Wave Swinger, Ali Baba, Kamikaze and Super Shot.
On the other end of the thrill spectrum are 15 rides just for kids in Sunnyville, on the north end of the fairgrounds and separate from the main carnival, including Dumbo and Raiders-Minions.
A weekday carnival wristband purchased at the gate costs $60, while a Saturday or Sunday wristband is $70. The fair’s online pre-sale for $45 and $55 ends at midnight Aug. 21.
Away from the midway, speed junkies can check out the NASCAR Experience, a racing simulator that puts you behind the wheel of an authentic NASCAR race car. The daily attraction is from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in front of the Pavilion.
More than 30 new vendors will be serving at the fair
Korean corn dogs and Spam fries are singled out with photographs on the “Eats and sweets” webpage, although no other details are provided about the vendors or items. Both are headliners at several state fairs this summer.
Korean corn dogs are generally made with wheat or rice dough batter instead of cornmeal, giving it a more pronounced crunch. Spam fries are slices of Spam, breaded and seasoned, and served with dipping sauces.
The theme of this year’s state fair is “All the Flavors of Fun!” and the food court menu shouldn’t disappoint. The menu includes more than 90 food vendors, including more than 30 new options.
Sunny’s $3 Tasty Tour on Aug. 27 is new this year, giving fairgoers a chance to try select bites from 28 participating vendors.
“Food can be expensive,” fair spokesperson Alex Hasenstab said. “We were looking at ways where people could try more foods without spending an egregious amount of money and without wasting food.”
The Tasty Tour is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day, with vendors offering $3 bites displaying “$3 SUNNY BITES” signs. Bites scheduled to be offered include Mixed Berry Kids Cone, 4-Piece California Roll, Gyro Bite, 16-ounce Banana Slush, Spam Fries, Small Fresh Cut Fries, and Moon Pie.
More shopping experiences available to fairgoers
Several new markets are making their debuts at the state fair. All have sunny-themed names and are open daily 10 a.m. fair close.
The Sunny Side: A marketplace designed specifically for kid-centric vendors and entertainment, located between the Jackman Long Building and the L.B. Day Amphitheater.
The Sunflower Square: A marketplace where innovation, home essentials and everyday must-haves come together in one space, located outside of Columbia Hall.
The Sunflower Patch: A marketplace with unique vendors, food options and garden ambience, located in the Green Acres Landscade area.
Sunflower Shops: A specially curated space designed for boutique, farmhouse, antique, gift shop-style and handmade vendors, located outside of Columbia Hall.
Sunny’s Market Place: The indoor shopping area, where you’ll find everything from home improvement solutions, hot tubs and saunas to tasty spices, unique jewelry, fun kids’ items, and more, located inside the Jackman-Long Building.
How to buy tickets and bargain days at the Oregon State Fair
Opening-day admission on Aug. 22 is $5, compliments of Mattress Firm. Tickets must be purchased on-site.
Admission pre-sales continue through midnight Aug. 21, including $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 6-12. Those prices go up to $12 and $10 after Aug. 22.
Children ages 5 and younger are always free. And Seniors 65 and better are always $3.
An 11-day, nontransferable pass is $25.
Other deals and discounts include:
Kids Day: On Aug. 25, kids ages 6-12 get free admission at the gate with the purchase of an adult admission. Kids 5 and under are free every day.
Heroes Day: On Labor Day, Sept. 1, active military, veterans, first responders, healthcare workers and teachers — and their families — get free admission.
Capi Lynn is a senior reporter for the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips to her at [email protected].