The Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band/Orchestra snake their way down the path at the Oregon Country Fair on July 13, 2024. Video still frame by Dan Evans.
Dan Evans / OPB
Final preparations are underway for the 56th annual Oregon Country Fair starting this Friday in Veneta. Fair crews are hard at work, putting finishing touches on 260 craft booths and 17 stages speckled along a winding mile and a half of shady, accessible paths called “the eight,” because it’s vaguely shaped like a figure 8.
OCF marketing manager Vanessa Roy hopes that all guests —whether returning or newcomers — feel truly welcome.
“We invite you to come to the fair as a moment of respite from the turbulent times that are around us,” she said. “We are an island in this storm. We want you to come in and feel included and safe and loved. Come live your authentic self and bring a friend with you because I guarantee there’s going to be something there for everybody.”
Related: 5 things that make Oregon Country Fair one of a kind
Roy said fairgoers can expect a diverse, all-star lineup of music and performance arts, including vaudeville, acrobatics and (strike up the band) parades. Culinary options are plentiful with 85 multicultural food booths and carts.
Recycling is made easy, thanks to 200 volunteers on the recycling and composting crew who help you decide what refuse goes where.
KLCC is keeping up its tradition of broadcasting the Oregon Country Fair live from Main Stage meadow. This year, KLCC’s OCF broadcast will air from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Recently, an OCF documentary complete with archival footage and numerous interviews with early fair family members was produced by OPB as an “Oregon Art Beat” special. The one-hour film is called “Oregon Country Fair: Magic in the Woods.”
Getting there
A reminder: Come to the Oregon Country Fair with your ticket — no passes are sold on site. Online tickets cost $64.46 for a one-day adult admission, or $159.02 for a three-day pass. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Discounts are available for veterans, “alter-abled” and seniors.
OCF highly encourages carpooling or, better yet, riding the bus. You don’t need a bus ticket: Your fair pass gets you on any LTD bus to the site outside of Veneta for free. That includes fast and frequent shuttle service from Valley River Center and the downtown LTD station.
LTD schedules are available at ltd.org or by calling (541) 687-5555.
Orienting yourself at fair
The Peach Pit is the quintessential guide to getting around the Oregon Country Fair site. Fairgoers can grab a paper copy at the entrance and find a fair site map, schedules of all performances on all the stages, artisan crafts and food booth directories, and more.
Accessibility
Access Advocates for the Alter Abled, or 4A, at OCF promotes equal access for all fair participants with equipment loans, sign language interpreters and other assistance including advocacy, education and advice. 4A is located in the Dragon’s Head at the entrance and also in Community Village.
Staying well and hydrated
White Bird Rock Medicine has long been a presence at the Oregon Country Fair. For the second year, White Bird Rock Med is operating as a stand-alone nonprofit, supporting other local nonprofits serving the community. They dispatch trained medical and mental health professionals to incidents anywhere on site. All services are free and confidential.
Each of the two locations has doctors available 24/7 throughout the event.
- Big Bird next to Main Stage Meadow [B5 on the map]
- Little Wing in Xavanadu near Wind Gate [L3 on the map]
Hydration stations can be found throughout the fair. Water crews keep clean, refreshing water flowing to food booths, drinking fountains and misting areas where fairgoers can cool off with gentle misters operating nonstop. Refill your non-glass containers, and stay hydrated.
Tiffany Eckert is a reporter with KLCC. This story comes to you from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.
It is part of OPB’s broader effort to ensure that everyone in our region has access to quality journalism that informs, entertains and enriches their lives. To learn more, visit our journalism partnerships page.
