The 2009 Oregon State Fair is a BIG Deal!

Low ticket prices, daily discounts, free shows and more make Oregon’s biggest event truly affordable.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregonians looking for big entertainment for little money need to look no further than Salem and the Oregon State Fair. For 11 days, the Fair is one of the best deals around, providing hours…and days…of entertainment at low prices.

This year, the Fair is introducing new discounts to make the fun even more affordable.

Entrance to the Fair is always affordable, with advance tickets for adults just $8, seniors 65+ $5, and kids ages 6-12 $3. (Kids 5 and under are always free!) This year, even greater savings are available: In response to the encourage multiple day attendance at the 2008 fair, the 2009 Oregon State Fair is introducing new multi-day passes, which offer considerable discounts for all ages:

* 4-Day Pass: Adult $25 (savings: up to $15), Senior $15 (savings: up to $9), Kids $10 (savings: up to $10)

* 6-Day Pass: Adult $35 (savings: up to $25), Senior $20 (savings; up to $16), Kids $15 (savings: up to $15)

* 11-Day Pass: Adult $50 (savings: up to $60), Senior $30 (savings: up to $36), Kids $20 (savings: up to $35)

In addition to its traditional discount days (Red Hat Day on September 1, Carnival Days, etc.) this year the Fair is upping the fun -and savings- with a number of new discount opportunities:

* Senior Day. Fair-goers age 65 and better receive $1.00 off gate admission price. There are also special events throughout the day.

* Carnival Days has been expanded to include Labor Day (Monday, September 7). From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., all carnival rides cost $1.50. Sponsored by Funtastics. Other Carnival Days: Les Schwab Tires Kids Day (Monday, August 31): $1.50 ride coupons; El Rey Tilt-a-Whirl (Tuesday, September 1): Wristband Ride Day; and Bustos Wristband Wednesday (September 2)

* Nalley “Stuff the School Bus” (Friday, August 28). KINK-FM and the Oregon State Fair are enlisting the help of listeners and attendees to Stuff the Bus with needed school supplies to be distributed throughout the metro area by Schoolhouse Supplies. The bus will be at the Main Gate of the State Fair on opening day (August 28) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visitors who donate one item to the Bus will receive a coupon good for a $1.00 discount at a Fair admission gate. Limit one coupon per person.

* Ride Your Bike Discount (all days of fair). Ride your bike and park in the staffed bicycle corral near the 17th Street entrance at the Americraft Center. Redeem your claim check for $2.00 off the gate admission price!

* Franz Bakery Discount (Monday, September 7). Bring any Franz wrapper with the distinctive blue sticker and receive $1.00 off of Fair admission.

* College Student Discount (all days of fair). Students with a valid student ID (2008 – 2009 school year) from any Oregon college or university (including community college) will receive $1.00 off gate admission price!

At the Oregon State Fair there are 10 different stages that provide almost nonstop entertainment, with something for the entire family. Best of all, it’s all free with fair admission!

Blues, Brews & BBQ (August 28-30, 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.) On opening night and continuing each evening of opening weekend, Fairgoers can come to the Spirit of Oregon Stage and enjoy great blues in action, including the Ty Curtis Band, Linda Hornbuckle and Curtis Salgado. For only $10, fair-goers can sample Oregon craft beers and professional BBQ next door at the Picnic Grove.

NPRA Rodeo Finals (September 1-4, Grand Entry at 6:00 p.m.) Saddle up for the NPRA Rodeo Finals in the Pavilion! We’re bringing back this great family tradition with four nights of rip-roaring fun. Children ages 6-10 may participate in the grand finale pig riot at the conclusion of each rodeo performance. Entry is free with fair admission! And for only $10, rodeo lovers can come to the “Down in the Dirt” after-party with country star Aaron Tippin on September 4 at 9:30 PM.

Demolition Derby (August 28, 6:00 p.m.) It’s time to smash ‘em up at the Oregon State Fair! Free with admission. Location: Pavilion.

Sea Lion Encounter (August 28-September 7, 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 12:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday) New this year, fair-goers can get up close and personal with these amazing creatures.

Let's Pretend Circus "The CUTEST Show On Earth!" (August 28-September 7) Come to the Little Big Top for a great show…starring YOU! Each show features kids, ages four and up, and an adult from the audience. These Star Performers dress in costumes that quickly slip over their clothes and after just a bit of instruction they put on a 30-minute show with two professional entertainers. Encore!

Gossamer Magic (August 28-September 7, 3:15 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.) One of the world's greatest illusionists viewed by millions on ABC and CBS, Peter Gossamer combines original concepts and a fresh approach to the art of magic. His grand illusion, comedic vignettes and a charismatic personality will truly amaze you. Catch this show on the Familyville Stage before it disappears!

Statewide Talent Contest (September 6) This classic State Fair contest - the culmination of talent contests held at Oregon County Fairs throughout the summer - will be held throughout the day on Center Stage on Sunday, September 6. Each participating county will send their top candidates to compete in one of three categories: Children (ages 5-9; contest: 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.), Youth (ages 10-17; contest: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) and Adults (ages 18 and over, contest: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.), to the Oregon State Fair to compete for statewide bragging rights.

Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular (August 28 & 29 at 10:00 p.m.; August 30 at 9:00 p.m.) This one-hour spectacle at the Sports & Recreation Stage will thrill audiences with a multi-media laser and light show set to the music of Pink Floyd's greatest hits.

Once again, the Oregon State Fair is bringing top entertainment to Oregon, from Pink Martini and Katy Perry to David Cook and The Doobie Brothers. Fairgoers don’t have to pay top dollar, however. Ticket prices start as low as $12, and advance purchase tickets include admission to the fair.

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

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

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.