Veterans Admitted Free to the Oregon State Fair

A veteran voucher will get those who served through the gates two different days, and they base veteran status on the honor system.

Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - Organizers of the 2006 Oregon State Fair have set aside two days to recognize the service and sacrifice of Oregon veterans. The designated ‘Veterans' Appreciation Days' are set for the first weekend of the Fair, Saturday, August 26th and Sunday, August 27th.

All veterans will be admitted free when they present a veteran voucher to the ticket office located at any Fair entrance gate.

In addition to the Fair's traditional offerings, a variety of special activities have been planned for the appreciation days. The nonprofit group, Remembering America's Heroes will be providing veteran activities in the Salem Armory Auditorium, a 40's USO-style show will take place both days and remembrance displays and military memorabilia will be featured in the Jackman-Long Building.

Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) Director Jim Willis extended his gratitude on behalf of Oregon veterans and the Department by saying, "I very much appreciate the willingness of the State Parks and Recreation Director Tim Wood and the State Fair & Expo Center Manager Dave Klellermeier to set aside two days of the Fair to honor our veterans. I would also like to thank all of the sponsors who have supported veterans and helped to make the Veterans' Appreciation Days possible."

Radio station KUPL Country FM 98.7 is also providing media sponsorship and is promoting the Veterans' Appreciation Days.

If you are a veteran and would like to attend the Fair on August 26th or 27th you can obtain a veteran voucher coupon from ODVA by visiting their website located online at www.oregon.gov/odva and download and print the free pass or you can call ODVA at 503-373-2284 and request that one be mailed to you.

ODVA's newsletter ‘VETS NEWS' contained a veteran voucher on page 6 of its July/August 2006 issue.

The voucher is for use by veterans only and will admit one veteran per voucher.

State Fair officials have assured ODVA that the veteran vouchers will also be available at the gate upon request. No other identification is required to obtain a voucher as this is being offered on an honor-system-basis.