2009 Oregon State Fair Shows Appreciation for U.S. Military and Veterans

During with Two Days of Memorable Events, families of deployed soldiers will receive 100 free tickets to “Oregon! Oregon! 2009”

(SALEM, Ore.) - The 2009 Oregon State Fair is making a BIG deal out of honoring U.S. veterans and active military. Friday, August 28 – opening day of the Fair – and Saturday, August 29, are Veterans’ Appreciation Days at the Fair and include a variety of special events for all fair-goers to enjoy.

On both days, veterans will be admitted into the Fair free of charge with a voucher available both in Vet News and on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs at oregon.gov/ODVA/StateFair.shtml. Active military will also have free admittance when they show their military IDs.

August 28: A BIG Birthday Gift of Tickets to "Oregon! Oregon! 2009"

Through the sponsorship by the Oregon 150 board of directors, the organization appointed by Governor Kulongoski to plan this year’s state sesquicentennial observance,100 tickets to the opening night musical debut of Oregon! Oregon! 2009 have been given to the families of recently deployed Oregon National Guard soldiers.

Says Connie Bradley, Acting Fair Manager, “Thanks to Oregon 150, we look forward to having these families as our special guests at the 2009 Oregon State Fair opening day celebration.”

"Oregon! Oregon! 2009" is a rollicking musical featuring Pink Martini, the Oregon National Guard 234th Army Band and an all-star Oregonian cast. First brought to stage in 1959 for Oregon’s 100th anniversary, this special sesquicentennial edition includes a new Act IV – complete with brand new songs and plot – that was written by a team of Oregon luminaries, including Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini, Metro Council President David Bragdon, Chariots of Fire conductor Harry Rabinowitz (age 92), and PICA Flash Choir’s Sarah Dougher & Pat Janowski and the writers of Livewire.

August 29 Events

Saturday’s special events kick off at noon with a fly-over of two to three F15s with the 142nd Fighter Wing Portland Air National Guard base, followed by a 28-gun salute.

After the fly-over and gun salute, the Second Annual Veterans’ Appreciation Parade commences. This year’s participants include the Oregon Territorial Express Stagecoach, Northwest Cavalry Association, Northwest Civil War Council, the Grand Ronde Tribe Honor Guard, the Oregon Patriot Guard Motorcycle Riders, the Oregon Motorcycle Veterans Association, the Oregon Historical Military Society with their vehicles, and others. Veterans are invited to walk in the half-mile parade, which begins at Gate C (formerly known as the yellow gate, north end of fairgrounds).

The afternoon’s events continue with a USO Show from 1:30-2:30 PM on Center Stage. This recreated Bob Hope 1960’s USO Show includes performances by Oregon’s own The Brown Sisters, The Two Sisters Trio, Pastor Richard Probasco, Dennis Marcellino of The Tokens and Sly & The Family Stone, and The Dennis Mitchell Band with The Kingsmen (of “Louie, Louie” fame). This event is sponsored by Spirit Mountain Casino and the Oregon State Fair and hosted by Remembering America’s Heroes.

Other Veterans’ Events:

* Military uniform display. Location: Americraft Center (formerly the Jackman-Long Building); all days of fair.

* Two life-size wood sculptures of U.S. Marines. Location: Americraft Center (formerly the Jackman-Long Building); September 1-7.

* “Faces of the Fallen” and military vehicle displays. Location: northwest corner of fairgrounds; August 28-30.

* Civil war reenactment. Location: northwest corner of fairgrounds; all days of fair.

* A grand entry opening each of the NPRA rodeo days, with 14 different military flags carried out on horseback to honor the military. Location: the Pavilion; September 1-4.

2009 Oregon State Fair Key Information

DATES:
Friday, August 28 – Monday, September 7, 2009 (Labor Day)

LOCATION:
Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem

HOURS:
Sundays-Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (late night areas until 10:30 p.m.)
Fridays and Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. (late night areas until 11:30 p.m.)

Late night areas: food court, carnival and commercial exhibits

GENERAL ADMISSION:
Adults (ages 13 - 64): $8.00/advance, $10.00/gate
Seniors (ages 65 & over): $4.00/advance, $6.00/gate
Children (ages 6 - 12): $3.00/advance, $5.00/gate
Ages 5 and under: FREE

Parking: FREE
NEW! Multi-Day Admission Passes:
4-Day Pass: Adult $25, Senior $15, Kids $10
6-Day Pass: Adult $35, Senior $20, Kids $15
11-Day Pass: Adult $50, Senior $30, Kids $20

General admission tickets are available for advance purchase at the Fairgrounds (2330 17th Street NE, Salem, OR) and at all participating Safeway TicketsWest outlets (ticketswest.com; 1-800-992-8499).

For more information about the 2009 Oregon State Fair, visit oregonstatefair.org or call the Fair Information Line toll-free at 1-800-833-0011.

About Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department manages more than 200 state parks and the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center, plus programs for Oregon’s ocean shores, scenic waterways, the Willamette River Greenway and recreation trails. The department provides grants to local governments, and oversees state heritage preservation efforts through the State Historic Preservation Office, Oregon Heritage Commission and Oregon Commission for Historic Cemeteries.