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The Oregon Country Fair is a different world from the one where we usually live, but it's fun to visit different ones sometimes. In real time and real miles the Fairgrounds is located only 5 miles from where we are staying (and about 20 miles from where we used to own a home before beginning our traveling life.) This was our first visit in quite a few years.
The Fair site is over 300 acres located on a wetlands area on the Long Tom River. Like a 1960s verson of Brigadoon, it has appeared for 42 years on the third weekend of July. The OCF now owns the property, but because it is on a wetlands (and flood plain) all structures -- stages and vendor's booths -- must be taken down and stored after the end of the Fair, leaving the property as if nobody had ever occupied it.
Parades are spontaneous (at least to the casual visitor)...they seem to spring up without notice.
Although its origins were different, the Fair is billed now as a family event -- there's no alcohol, smoking only in designated areas, and a large playground area. Tolerance and environmental awareness are still encouraged.
Many of those attending wear costumes and they still verge toward the bizarreness that was more rampant when the Fair started. There was more "smoke" and less clothing in the old days.
For us, people watching is the main attraction. But there are 300 booths including original craftwork, music and spoken word venues. Food booths are plentiful and much better than typical fair cuisine (it's actually hard to choose where to have lunch).
Here's a link to the Fair's website.
It sounds more fun now than in the old days. people watching is one of my favourite activities too.
Posted by: diane | July 22, 2011 at 12:09 AM
I liked what you said about people watching. It's one of the things I enjoy most at events like this. (Actually, Disneyland had great people-watching too.) I'll bet this event had all sorts of free spirits to watch, in addition to the people watching the free spirits.
Posted by: Margot | July 21, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Hi Sallie, I have had a lovely time this evening reading through your last few blogs. Lots of free spirits at the Fair I think, - it looks like great fun and I was very impressed with the lists of artists and craftspeople exhibiting there. Hope you are enjoying Oregon, - we are not having our usual summer in the west (at least not western Canada) but I can't say I mind these cool, mild days!
Posted by: Hildred | July 20, 2011 at 08:26 PM
Fairs are fun - but often HOT! Love that piece of artwork. I'd have to have a taste of funnel cake...
Posted by: Barb | July 20, 2011 at 06:35 PM
It seems to be a charming fair ! I like the little girls with their butterflies costumes ! On an old shot, my mother, aged 7, wear one like those ones !
Posted by: Annie | July 20, 2011 at 09:56 AM
It sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day. Thanks for letting us tag along!
Posted by: bettyl | July 20, 2011 at 05:15 AM
Kinda like a 60's hippy revival.. let the good times roll! Looks like a lota fun!
hugs,
Pam
Posted by: Pam | July 20, 2011 at 02:24 AM
That looks like a blast - people-watching would definitely be fun there. Nice shots.
Posted by: Al | July 19, 2011 at 08:29 AM
love all the tie-dye. the metal artwork is beautiful too!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | July 19, 2011 at 07:30 AM
If there would be no beer on such a fair in Belgium it wouldn't be a family feast, lol ! Beer and wine is not considered as alcohol ! When alcohol is not allowed they mean strong things like Whisky etc.
Posted by: Gattina | July 19, 2011 at 06:58 AM
Must be fun to take the kids there with so much going on. Great shots.
Posted by: Arija | July 19, 2011 at 05:58 AM
Oh, I do love fairs! This one looks fun.
Posted by: Lady Fi | July 19, 2011 at 05:57 AM
I don't think I've ever been to a county fair in the USA... or maybe yes, in St Paul, MN, many years ago, not sure if that was a fair. But it was fun, and this one looks like fun, and I like that people still let their hair down. It doesn't surprise me too much that it's a bit more conservative than in years gone by, but in some ways these are times of extremes that we live in, don't you agree?
Posted by: Francisca | July 19, 2011 at 04:13 AM
Oh, I love fairs!! And what great captures, Sallie! I haven't been to one in a while, but your photos are the next best thing! Hope you have a lovely week!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | July 18, 2011 at 08:44 PM
What a charming fair. I love the fact that everything disappears at the end of the fair and the land goes back to what it was.
Posted by: Clair Z. | July 18, 2011 at 07:14 PM
Beautiful images of fair. Wonderful mosaics you ave created with them.
Posted by: Rajesh | July 18, 2011 at 05:48 PM