Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Oregon State Fair

    3.3 (98 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 month ago

    Oregon State Fair Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Oregon State Fair

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Michael P.

    Coming from out of state and going here for the first time, I had a great time. Great exhibits to walk through. Awesome to see 4-H is still around. Lots of vendors to shop from. Food is abundant but pretty much all the same. One fairs food is the same at all it seems. Animal shows are always fun to view. The rides are fairly long lines as to be expected, but not terrible. Some of the kids rides had non working parts in the fun houses. Seems all fairs are raising the prices of everything. Save yourself the headache and just buy the unlimited ride bracelets because you will pay way more for ride ticket bundles.

    Frank B.

    OMG I love this country fair in central Oregon. Made the journey to see REO SPEEDWAGON to ride out the storm and discovered a very well run fair. I saw a duck and a chicken and other assorted animals prior consuming a fresh made corn dog and other treats. Who doesn't enjoy a corn dog smothered in mustard? Once I moved past all the normal fair stuff I sauntered over to the amphitheater for some 70's classic rock. Great acoustics for a fair and the band was on fire so with fist in the air I jammed out to all of REO's hits! Needless to say I had an amazing experience for my day at the fair! Can't wait for a return visit!

    Fair
    William L.

    Came from southern Oregon. Amazing atmosphere and people. Parking and entrance prices were fair. Food was bank, but we had a blast

    Jennifer S.

    I had just arrived in Salem after a 6 day relocation trek across the states. We could hear the music from my brothers house, a short distance away. We rested up and decided to make a night of it on Saturday before Labor day. Our first stop was for food, so I ordered, and we all sat down to enjoy our dinner before getting on the rides. The next thing I know, my wallet was missing! After several hiccups in my trip, including a broken down RV, the thought of losing all the cash I had and my driver's license pushed me over the edge. My sister in law told a nearby security officer what happened, while I sobbed frantically. He suggested I call to report my card lost or stolen and check the Lost and Found. Our trip came to a halt as we made a beeline to see if it was there. Upon describing it, it was handed over, cash and all! Apparently, I'd left it on the bleachers when sat down to eat, and an honest person turned it in. I was stunned and pulled myself together, with my confidence in humanity and fate restored. We resumed the fun we came for, and our girls hit the rides. Despite the scare and mini meltdown, the night turned around and we all had a good time.

    Sebastian K.

    I've lived in Oregon for many years, and the Oregon State Fair has been recommended many times over the years. For some of those years, I didn't own a car so it was impossible to reasonably go to the fair. This year I decided to go, as I pre-purchased tickets well in advance for a discounted rate. My favorite part was seeing all of the prize-winning animals. I am a big fan of birds, and while it was disappointing that they didn't have doves this year, they had lots of pigeons and various game birds. If you wish, you may even purchase some animals, and I was really wanting to get the 1st place rooster (too bad the city I live in doesn't allow chickens.) Food is expensive of course, but considering the low admission I did not mind. I tried some Dole Whip, deep fried cheese on a stick, and fried pickles. Everything was good- though I was disappointed the fried cheese was American and not cheddar or even pepper-jack. I think just about every restroom I visited was clean and not busy. Parking was a breeze. Then again, I went on a Wednesday morning instead of a busy weekend, so your mileage may vary. Everyone was friendly, the walkways were clean, and I got out spending under $100. A good way to spend a day, and cross off another item from my "Oregon List."

    Oregon First Taste
    Cynthia G.

    Parking is easy I was there for an annual event not the fair. The place is kept in great condition and updated. I was really impressed with the ease of parking and the event space.

    R G.

    Love the goats. Wish the pig races were on a bigger track. Lost my hearing at the seal show. The livestock area is rich with knowledge and new discoveries. Enjoyed meeting breeders. Big Jim foods served me a dry cold corn on the cob for $5.00. The Japanese comfort food cart ahi burrito was delicious . The whole experience was ok.

    Tractor pull

    See all

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 20
    Thanks 0
    Love this 19
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of R G.
    260
    537
    2089

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of C H.
    0
    119
    10

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Peggy R.
    21
    22
    14

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of PD S.
    101
    158
    89

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    I wish they had more of a variety of rides and or games to play but still really cool. Can't wait for next years Fair.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris E.
    35
    438
    157

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeanne M.
    277
    20
    0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Oregon State Fair

    What kind of ice cream is served at the women's dairy red barn?

    Soft serve

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Oregon State Fair

    My favorite part was the hypnotist, free shows and free to be in the show!

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Festivals 124 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Wulapalooza at Willamette University - The parachute is one of many Wulapalooza traditions.

    Wulapalooza at Willamette University

    4.0(3 reviews)
    1.9 mi

    From the website: "Wulapalooza is an annual urban earth, art and music festival that takes place on…read morethe campus of Willamette University. Local schools, performance groups, and professional bands perform for over a thousand students and community members annually with local businesses and student groups fundraising for various charitable organizations. We are an Earth Day and community festival that yearly brings in thousands of community members and students." Thee Emergency is one of my favorite bands, but since they usually stick around Seattle, I knew I had to make the trek to Wulapalooza to see them play. I did miss the entire first part of the festival with the student and community booths and whatnot, so my commentary pertains solely to the evening program. However, Wulapalooza remains one of the strangest events I have ever been to, and it's not just because of the name. We arrived when the band was setting up to a crowd of a hundred or so students milling around a field. I had to keep reminding myself that it was a community festival, because it always seemed like we were the only non-students there. So Thee Emergency came out and rocked hard, as they are wont to do, but Willamette U. students must not be the rocking-est, because they were dancing around as if it were some hippie drum circle or something. Now, I love me some hippie drum circles, but there is a time and a place, and it's not when this bluesy, punk-y, soulful throwback to 70's-style rock 'n' roll is playing out live ten feet away, the guitar player throwing out sweet licks from behind his head and everything. Maybe it was the dearth of shoes. Maybe a body requires footwear to rock out. Anyway, we couldn't take any more of that for a while, so we went to get some dinner before Mirah was set to take stage. When we got back, the beer garden seemed irresistible, but we saw the door person checking off names. Now, I went to a huge state school, and it seemed entirely impossible that a university could have a full list of its 21-and-over students contained entirely on printed pages in a small-ish binder. How quaint. The beer garden really was only for students, but we were somehow convincing as alums. Beer was 3 for $10, which mathematically doesn't make sense and is also silly for two people to split, but whatever. Also, they had all kinds of free food up there that we abstained from due to the fact that we weren't really meant to eat it. The fact that the school was providing an entire free party for its students was starting to set in, holy crap. Next was Mirah, who was unfortunately playing in a gymnasium due to some noise ordinance shenanigans. When a very serene sort of performer like Mirah is playing, you have to really pay attention, especially when she is playing in the middle of a gymnasium and you are sitting cross-legged in front of her. However, dozens of side conversations almost drowned out the music, and then some students decided to get as close as possible to the bassist in order to flick their Bics, and someone's kids were allowed to walk all over near the performers and grab their hand percussion instruments, and the people dancing majestically still couldn't get the beat right. We stayed as long as we could bear, but the magic was gone. On the way out, a big truck was backing up to the stage, shining its lights on some students on the field wrapped up in the provided blankets. Moral: private school is strange.

    Wulapalooza is the day I look forward to the most all year. Wula brings Willamette students, Salem…read moreinhabitants, and music/art/earth/fun enthusiasts from surrounding areas together under the glorious umbrella of everybody having a damn good time for free. You'd be a fool to miss it.

    Salem Art Fair by Salem Art Association - Gilgamesh Brewing

    Salem Art Fair by Salem Art Association

    3.3(6 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    The Salem Art Fair has been a staple a Salem summers for years. The art is impressive and moving…read morethe stage out from under the oak trees was a good decision. However, I wish the booths for individual artists were still under the shade of the trees and the food options are disappointing. The addition of Gilgamesh Brewing is promising, but I think bringing in food trucks, or some new vendors, could provide better options.

    There was a time that I really loved attending the annual Salem Art Fair. It was when I was a kid…read more Set amongst the beautiful shady trees at Bush Park, it was a nice summer time activity that didn't result in heat exhaustion. My mother and I used to always go together and get the delicious chocolate and almond dipped ice cream bars. It was fabulous. Then, after several years of not visiting, I finally went summer of '09 since I now live within walking distance (parking is a nightmare). What a shock. Just shock. At least half of the artists aren't even from Oregon, let alone the Salem area. There were people as far away from Colorado and Arizona slinging their "art" for rip off prices. Yeah, I said rip off. Look, I understand that art may take time and that these people might do this as a living. That's not my problem. As a consumer and a customer, I refuse to believe that the salt and pepper shakers they painted took so much time and effort that they warrant that $90 price tag. Am I an idiot? No. In addition to the above rip-off, the Salem Art Association will now be charging admission to "enjoy" the fair. They believe that "it's a good deal.... and $5 isn't that much money..." You're right, it's not a great deal of money, but that really isn't the point. It's a craft fair, not a museum. It's purpose is to allow patrons to purchase art, not rip people off. But I can't be too harsh, can I? The SAA reports that they ONLY made $215,000 on last years art fair. Boo hoo hoo. They also further justify this $5 fee by claiming that this art fair is one of the best in the country. I don't know the source of this information, but considering what a dump Salem is, I have a hard time believing it. Gah! Just another reason to avoid Salem.

    Photos
    Salem Art Fair by Salem Art Association
    Salem Art Fair by Salem Art Association - Great afternoon at the Salem Art Festival.

    Great afternoon at the Salem Art Festival.

    Salem Art Fair by Salem Art Association - Saucy Jewelry

    See all

    Saucy Jewelry

    World Beat Festival - Beautiful weather for a cultural festival

    World Beat Festival

    3.8(5 reviews)
    5.1 mi

    The beat of the native drum circle and jingle dresses felt like home as we entered the event…read more Helpful volunteers were identified by the T-shirt they wore bearing by brother's design. In exchange for his work, we were provided 'VIP' access that included a tent with a prime view of the main stage and refreshments to cool down in between our rounds (shout out to the friendly and attentive VIP tent volunteers). Positive energy and pride exuded throughout Riverfront park during this long standing cultural festival as groups were decked out in regalia and traditional dress in preparation for a performance. The diversity and representation witnessed as I made my way through made my heart burst with joy. Making a choice on what to eat was tough, as there were more food trucks and options than I had seen before. ChoicesI went with Flourish Spices & African Food's 'Little bit of everything' plate and added a puff puff. It included black eyed peas, plantains, chicken and fish (they were very popular and had run out of rice that was normally included). My tastebuds agreed with my selection and savored every bite of food that perfectly complemented the other. The fish was well cooked and seasoned, very easy to separate from the bones. The puff puff was a fried dough, like a cross between a beignet and a hush puppy, but savory, and was a nice addition to my meal. I only wish I would've added vegetables, but had plenty to satisfy my appetite. There were also a lot of beverage options including specialty coffees, Aqua frescas, Hawaiian ice, flavored lemonades, and a beer garden with wine, cider, and brews. Vendor booths offered everything from turban wraps, native beaded earrings, and felted hats to African braiding, henna tattoos and cultural wares. A dedicated children's area had activities to keep the littles entertained while learning. Story tellers from across the globe shared folk tales and exposed guests of all ages to other cultures. I enjoyed watching traditional dancing and performances on multiple stages throughout the venue. Dragon boat races brought a thrill from the waterway below. Acosia Red Elk, an international award winning jingle dancer and enrolled member Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation, took the stage explaining the origin of her regalia and shared an inspirational message with the crowd about intentions and connection. Supaman, a Native American dancer, hip hop artist, inspirational speaker and member of the Apsáalooke Nation on the Crow Reservation, leveled up; bringing energy to the outdoor amphitheater by inviting guests up to the stage to contribute to a beat box compilation with DJ Element, throwing out CDs for crowd participation, and ending with fan favorites. The Parade of Lights awed the audience with their flaming headpieces, wings, and torches as they made their grand entry around and up to the stage while members blew conch shells. This stunning and well thought out event drew interest across Salem, selling out tickets on Saturday. Many people I spoke to had been attending, volunteering, or participating for up to 15 years. Bravo and congratulations on a truly spectacular weekend!

    Solid 4 star experience. 2015 fest review…read more Located on salem waterfront admission was $5 a person $15 for entire families. It was a fun time. It was not the best world music festival I had ever been to but it was nice. 3-4 stages of performers with folk dancing performances on the grass. Lots of ethnic food options, but they need more variety as far as countries represented. We had cuisine from the Greek and the Ethiopian food stalls. Both were flavorful and we would get them again. The young lady running the Ethiopian stall must have been having a bad day because she vibrated that feeling to her customers and was very unfriendly. We enjoyed the performances. The Iraqi music Ronny and Sherzad on guitar and keyboard was our favorite. Iraqi fusion music with latin and other cultural influences. We also enjoyed the Gamelan group. If I was the planner of this fest I would put the Gamelan Group farther away from the other performances. Gamelan is quiet and they were drowned out by the taiko drumming taking place at the next stage over. My Mr. said he would have liked if all the stages were spread out a little farther as to not drown out the other performances. The people running the salem drum circle group were very friendly and we jumped right in and jammed with them. They invited me back to perform with them on stage later that day, but we had limited time so we could not take part. There were a few vendors selling their wares. Much of it was the same- skirts, scarves, tapestries,boho gear,incense, etc. A few of the booths had really reasonable prices and we scored a few things. I would have liked to have seen more of a variety of clothes and wares offered up for sale. We had fun it was not that far of a drive 45-60 min from Portland ..we will return to this festival again. Plenty of on street parking. Sunday was not crowded with just the right amount of people in attendance.

    Photos
    World Beat Festival - Program

    Program

    World Beat Festival - Crowd at the main stage

    Crowd at the main stage

    World Beat Festival - View from the VIP tent

    See all

    View from the VIP tent

    Oregon State Fair - festivals - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...