2008 State Fair A Big Hit For 365,000+

The Oregon State Fair once again became Oregon’s second largest city over the course of its 11-day run with a 2.4% increase over 2007.

Fairgoers enjoy themselves in Oregon regardless of cloudy skies. Photos by Bonnie King

(SALEM, Ore.) - More than 365,000 people attended the 2008 Oregon State Fair according to estimates released by organizers, who noted the 2.4 percent increase over 2007’s attendance would have been even larger had there not been two days of "liquid sunshine".

A few raindrops weren't enough to keep most Oregonians away. They say that overall, more people found the fair too big to miss; they came, stayed longer, returned for another day, and attended concerts more than ever before.

"It was a fantastic fair this year, featuring many new activities as well as returning favorites," said Connie Bradley, Marketing & Business Development Manager for the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center. "We’re pleased that it was such a popular summer destination, especially for new visitors."

The Oregon State Fair has evolved in recent years. In 2007 it added the Sports, Health and Recreation Areas, where visitors participate in Oregon’s most popular sport activities, such as rock climbing, kayaking and beach volleyball, and the Wine Patio & Garden, which gives visitors a sophisticated look at, and taste of, Oregon’s top wines.

This year, the fair made even more additions and improvements in order to have something for everyone, especially younger visitors. They added the ever-popular Guitar Hero competition, a BMX Track, an Artisans Village, Dia de Familia, Little Big Top, a Science & Technology Competition for grades 4-6, a Sustainable Energy Display, and even roller derby.

If that's not enough, then the food vendors certainly had their own unique contributions. The weirdest food at the 2008 Oregon State Fair was probably something called "roadkill", served by The Sourdough Gang. Roadkill is an elephant ear shaped as a flattened out possum or rat, with berry "blood" oozing out. It was a big seller.

"Yes, some state fairs may have deep fried pineapple on a stick, but Oregon...had roadkill," Bradley said.

Families have made the Oregon State Fair a tradition for generations, and with so many new visitors, this dynamic is sure to continue. Fair organizers say that there were more first-timers than ever, 23%, an increase from 18% in 2007.

16,000 more people attended concerts this year too, more than double last year, with a fuller concert line-up which included Willie Nelson, Garrison Keillor, Weird Al Yankovic and others that appealed to a broad audience.

In 2006, the Oregon State Fair was brought under the management of the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department and Dave Koellermeier was appointed Fair Manager. During his tenure, attendance at the fair has increased by 15 percent and the fair has added exciting new venues in Sports and Recreation and Science & Technology, and an added focus on Oregon firms.

More people came to the 2008 fair more than once, with the average number of days at 1.8 from 1.3 in 2007. They even stayed longer. In 2007, the average fair visit was 4.7 hours, and in 2008 it was a full 5 and a half hours, consuming 12% more food and drink than last year.

Bradley said the 2009 State Fair will again be "too big to miss," continuing its efforts to appeal to more young people and families, and will focus on Oregon’s 150th birthday.

Now that's a celebration that will definitely be too fun to miss. Get your party hat spruced up, there are only three hundred and thirty days (or so) to wait.

Source: Oregon State Fair