The 142nd Annual Oregon State Fair Opens August 24th

SALEM, Ore., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ — The 2007 Oregon State Fair (http://www.oregonstatefair.org/) opens its gates to 11 days of fun, food and excitement on Friday, August 24th. The 142nd annual event runs through Labor Day, September 3rd, and offers big-name concerts, FREE parking and family entertainment throughout its 11-day run. The theme for this year’s Oregon State Fair is “Wonders of Oregon,” bringing the wonders of Oregon into one enchanting place. Gates open everyday at 10 a.m.

“This year’s Fair features many new attractions including the sports and recreation area and the return of the popular Artisan’s Village,” said Dave Koellermeier, new Oregon State Fair manager. “We invite Oregonians from all over the state to come experience the state’s premiere family attraction. There’s something for everyone and we’re committed to providing a clean, safe atmosphere for all fairgoers.”

WHAT’S NEW

The brand new Sports and Recreation Area features Oregon’s most popular sports activities from the coast to the desert to the mountains. Participants can enjoy custom boulders designed to look and feel like Smith Rock, beach volleyball from the Northwest Beach Volleyball Association, a chance to try a simulated kayak paddle, snow in August, and the urban sport of skateboarding.

The Northwest Best BBQ Battle features professional cooking teams from 15 western states battling for two days and nights August 25-26, 2007. The professional cook-off is the final competition for the summer’s “King of Q” accumulative point competition. Over 30 cooking teams will battle over $20,000 in prize money awarded during the Oregon State Fair.

New events including Lucha Libre wrestling and jousting make this year’s fair a must visit destination. The long anticipated return of Artisan’s Village to the 2007 Oregon State Fair in cooperation with the Willamette Art Center features artisans from all over Oregon demonstrating their arts and helping visitors create their own works of art.

CONCERTS

The Fair offers music for everyone as a variety of talented musical acts take center stage. The Oregon State Fair is proud to host great concert events including Heart, The All American Rejects, Jesse McCartney, Josh Turner & Keith Anderson, and Daughtry. Fair admission is free with the purchase of a concert ticket on or before August 24th.

In addition to the above concert series, the Fair is proud to host a number of free outdoor concerts with purchase of outside gate admission, including Radio Disney Kids, Joe Nichols, John Kay & Steppenwolf, and Craig Morgan.

Concerts tickets are available at 1-800-992-8499, and 503-224-8499 in Portland, and http://www.ticketswest.com/.

CONTESTS

Great Oregon wines meet the discerning palates of renowned judges when the Celebration Oregon! award and wine tasting event on Friday, Aug. 24th recognizes the state’s local amateur, as well as professional, winemakers. Cooking contests and demonstrations will feature panels of professional chefs and an amateur beer-making contest will also be held.

The traditional fair competitions also not to be missed include photography, fine arts, home arts and hobbies, 4-H, FFA, livestock, agriculture, and one of the biggest horse shows in Oregon. Talented finalists from across the state will also compete in the Oregon Statewide Talent Competition.

ADMISSION

At $9, adult admission is comparable to the price of a movie ticket. Children 6 – 12 enter for only $4 and kids under 5 are always free. Save $2 across the board by purchasing advance tickets prior to August 24th. Gate admission includes entrance to outdoor concerts, Pavilion events, exhibits, and extensive entertainment. Fair hours are 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

About the Oregon State Fair

Started in the late nineteenth century, the State Fair has become an Oregon family tradition. Families come from all over the state to take in great shows, rides, culinary delights, and animal and agricultural exhibits. Fair attendees will be able to see over 26,000 exhibits in livestock, home arts and hobbies, show horses, fine art, photography, professional wine, homebrew beer, small animals, including poultry, rabbits, doves, pigeons and guinea pigs, plus 4-H and FFA animals and events.

For more information call 503-947-3247 or toll free in Oregon, 1-800-833-0011 or visit the Oregon State Fair website at http://www.oregonstatefair.org/.

The Oregon State Fair is a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

Oregon State Fair

CONTACT: Carolyn Burleigh of R-West, +1-503-223-5443, ext. 143,carolynb@r-west.com, for Oregon State Fair

Web site: http://www.oregonstatefair.org/