Oregon State Fair
oregon state fair official state fair u state oregon take place every august–september acre km oregon state fairground located north salem state capital almost every year since responsibility running fair delegated oregon state park recreation department division known oregon state fair exposition center osfec hold event fairground yearround oregon agriculture expanded early th century many community formed agricultural association purpose sharing information farming practice resource group began organize county fair yamhill county fair shortly thereafter oregon farmer newspaper began calling statewide fair group farmer known oregon fruitgrowers association organized first unofficial state fair year recognized official anniversary year fair association merged county group became oregon state agricultural society held first official fair gladstoneoregon city area felt larger area needed following proposal marion county agriculture society second official state fair held salem ground marion county fair remained ever since homesteader john savage donated acre land three mile km outside salem time pioneer john minto contributed build wooden fence around ground fairground annexed salem fair held every year site except lewis clark centennial exposition taking place portland year world war ii year instead fairground leased military unit place bivouac also although fair held scaled back include h display livestock exhibit display oregon county considered official state fair fair also canceled due covid pandemic arson occurred opening fair burning several large structure along fair commissioner governor tom mccall felt fair go many group donated time money cleanup sent facility like tent far away portland rose festival fair could open state fairground site two historic building listed national register historic place oregon state fair stadium poultry building ensemble horse stadium poultry building added register poultry building known chicken head relief sculpture decorate exterior horse stadium oldest state building oregon continuous use yearold grove oregon white oak across street main fairground designated oregon heritage tree committee oregon heritage tree site grove used camping gathering place area original inhabitant kalapuya collected acorn camas site later became camping place fairgoers originally arrived wagon created tent city fair practice camping grove continued modern time following period financial trouble oregon legislative assembly directed oregon park recreation department take management fair fair slogan like magical enchanted land except real year fair showcased oregon crop livestock art culture hosted many food booth vendor well judging competition horse racing popular entertainer fair hosted first lucha libre hispanic wrestling event outdoor concert held l b day amphitheatre named l b day oregon state senator supporter fair oregon state fairground pavilion completed newest building fairground seat indoor pavilion used yearround variety event pavilion parking replaced badly deteriorated grandstand built horse racing track architectural ornament grandstand facade salvaged incorporated replacement building home arena football league oregon black bear salem armory auditorium located corner fairground site affiliated state fair concert venue owned oregon military department oregon state fair official website historic image oregon state fair salem public library image nowdemolished grandstand salemoregoncom historic image grandstand historic american building survey