Marion County Fair This Weekend

It's that time of year again, the Marion County Fair kicks off this's event with entertainment, agriculture, and a long list of fun activities for the entire family.

(SALEM) - The 2006 Marion County Fair will delight all ages with more events and activities than ever before. The fair will be held July 13th-16th on the Oregon State Fairgrounds.

Car buffs are invited to show the custom cars, hot rods and special interest cars a the Cruise In, sponsored by South Commercial Auto Sales, at the fair on Sunday, July 16th, from noon to 4:00 PM.

Admission to the fair is free for the first 50 cars to check in at the green gate on 17th Street at 11:30 AM. No pre-entry is required.

Proud parents can enter their cuties up to 20 months old in the Pretty Baby contest to be judged on the main stage between 10:30 and 11:30 AM on Saturday, July 15th. Babies will be judged in two categories, up to 10 months old and 11 to 12 months old. For more information, call KBZY at (503) 362-1490.

The Davis Shows Northwest carnival will be featuring a new ride called Drop Zone that will give thrill seekers a taste of a skydiving experience: that split-second between jumping out of the plane and the time the parachute opens.

Wristbands for a day's worth of carnival rides are available for $15 before the fair and $20 at the fair. For kids 5 and under, a $5 wristband for kiddie rides is $5 on Thursday, July 13, and on Teen Day, Friday, July 14th, ride wristbands are two for the price of one if purchased before 6:00 PM. Recipients must be present. On Family Day, Sunday, July 16th, carnival rides will be discounted one ticket per ride from the regular prices.

The fair's agricultural focus remains strong with 4-H and FFA demonstrations, exhibits, and shows. From pickles to pies, pottery to paintings, open class competitions invite county residents to compete for bragging rights.

Entertainment will begin with the Talent Show, which kicks off the fair on Thursday, July 13th. On Friday, Extreme Teen Band Challenge finalists will compete for $1,000 from 6:00 to 10:00 PM, followed by a teen dance with Z100 deejay. Saturday afternoon will feature a Radio Disney music and dance show, followed by A Night of Country Music with several bands. Sunday will feature a Christian concert.

Many activities are planned. On Thursday, Senior Day features craft demonstrations, square dancing, and heritage displays. Admission is just $1 for seniors on Thursday. Also on Thursday, a special carnival wristband for young children can be purchased for just $5.

Friday's Extreme Teen Challenge Day includes skateboard and BMX bike stunts, Extreme Hoops contests, rock-wall climbing, IGX videogames, a teen makeover, and live feed television broadcasting through Teen TV. Teen admission is $1 all day with two-for-the-price-of-one carnival wristbands.

Saturday is AG Day, and includes the 4-H Barbecue and Market Auction, a watermelon seed spitting contest, Pretty Baby Contest, Muddy Paws-a-Flyin' dog flyball contest, scavenger hunt, and celebrity dunk tank.

Sunday is Family Day with free crafts and games for children and the annual nursery stock auction sale in the afternoon. There will also be an opportunity for couples to renew their wedding vows or dump a celebrity in the dunk tank.

The Nursery Stock Auction Sale is also on Sunday beginning at 4:00 PM. Al's Nursery, Smith Gardens, and Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas are donating items for the sale.

There are free children's activities every day until 5:00 PM and free IGX videogame-playing for teens. And there is always the great food, ranging from Mexican and Thai to traditional cotton candy, elephant ears, and shaved ice.

Parking is free all four days. Regular admission prices are: adults $6, youth (ages 6 through 11) $2, and children 5 and under get in free. Family passes for up to two adults and four youth are available for $16. Fair hours are 10:00 to 10:00 on Thursday, 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on both Friday and Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday.