Linn County Expo Center manager Randy Porter has a big challenge ahead of him when the 2022 fair kicks off July 14-16.
The 2021 event was a gangbuster with a record 34,330 attendance, and Porter would like to close out his 24 years with the fair on a high note. He will retire at the end of the year.
“I think we’re going to have another great fair,” he said. “Last year was amazing, and this year, with gas prices as high as they are, I think families are going to look for entertainment that’s close to home.”
Porter has enjoyed his work and the variety of people he’s worked with over nearly a quarter of a century. He has a cap from every fair, except 1998, attached to a wall of his office, and he plans to leave them for his successor.
“It’s kind of bittersweet for me,” he admitted. “I came to work here in March 1998. The work is great because it is always different. It’s been a great experience. I have loved working with people from all over Linn County and the staff has been phenomenal.”
Linn County Fair Board President Kris Latimer said she and her fellow board members “have our fingers crossed for the same sort of community support as we saw last summer.”
“Fairgoers can expect outstanding entertainment throughout the venue, whether it’s the grounds acts in Family Land that you’ve come to love or the big acts on stage,” Latimer added. “We are excited to welcome back a local favorite, Sara Evans, on Thursday (reserve seat tickets are nearly sold out); Five for Fighting, a new-to-the-community headliner on Friday; and a super crowd pleaser, Sawyer Brown, on Saturday night.”
Latimer said the 4H and open classes will ensure plenty of activities in the barns, and the Calapooia Arena will feature the perennial favorite Mutton Bustin’ on Friday night.
“On Saturday we’ll have our eyes on the prize, while we participate in the 4H Livestock Auction,” Latimer said. “The Linn County 4H Livestock Auction was off the hook last summer, and we’re hoping for the same sort of support this year.”
Latimer said the cherry on top of the fair-going sundae is all of the “great food booths, beer garden, carnival, displays and exhibits.
“We hope everyone will come spend at least one day with us – but we’d welcome you all three!” Latimer said.
– Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer
Fast Facts
Admission/carnival specials: one day and 3-day passes: adults; $7/$21; children under 12 free; Seniors: $5/$15; Parking: $5/$15. Thursday is Senior Day (60 and older) and Military Day (bring ID), admitted free.
Family Fun Pak: four admissions and four all-day carnival ride wristbands; Pick a Day Fun Pak, any single day admission, plus all-day carnival pass, $35.
Calapooia Arena: Free with paid admission. Thursday: 6 p.m., Hell on Hooves bull riding; Friday, 6 p.m., Wild and Wooly mutton bustin’.
4H Livestock Auction: 8 a.m., Saturday, Calapooia Arena.
Main Stage Entertainment: Free with paid admission, or reserved seating available. Thursday: 8 p.m., Sara Evans; Friday, 8 p.m., Five For Fighting; Saturday, 8 p.m., Sawyer Brown. (Get reserved seating tickets at http://www.linncountyfair.com.)
New this year: Monster Truck carnival ride; vendors: Oregon Smoke Shack BBQ; the Wurst Food Cart, authentic German food; Quoli Serve-Greek food; Kracked Crab-seafood.
New commercial booths: Saffron Cosmetics, Pine Need Wood, Maui Melts and Dare to Dazzle.
Note: The Linn County 4-H and FFA Fair began Monday, July 11, and will run through July 17. See schedule below.
4-FH/FFA FAIR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13
7:30 a.m. Livestock/small animal exhibitors meeting (Swine Ring)
9 a.m. Rabbit/cavy, market, showmanship, breeds (Santiam Bldg.)
9 a.m. Swine, market (Swine Ring)
9 a.m. Dairy/pygmy/fiber goat showmanship (Sheep/Goat Ring)
1 p.m. Sheep, market (Sheep/Goat Ring)
4 p.m. Meat goat, showmanship (Sheep/Goat Ring)
4 p.m. Beef showmanship (Beef Ring)
THURSDAY, JULY 14
7:30 a.m. Livestock/small animal exhibitors meeting (Swine Ring)
9 a.m. Swine, showmanship (Swine Ring)
9 a.m. Dairy/pygmy/fiber goat breeds (Sheep/Goat Ring)
9 a.m. Honey Bunny Quiz (Santiam Bldg.)
10 a.m. Poultry testing (Santiam Bldg.)
1 p.m. Rabbit agility (Santiam Bldg.)
2 p.m. Sheep, showmanship, breeds (Sheep/Goat Ring)
3 p.m. Small animal costume contest (Santiam Bldg.)
4 p.m. Dairy cattle, showmanship, breeds (Swine Ring)
4 p.m. Beef, breeds (Beef Ring)
5 p.m. Cloverbud Show and Tell (Santiam Bldg.) Cloverbud tour of livestock barn to follow
6 p.m. Pack goat demonstration (Sheep Ring)
7 p.m. Obstacle course goats/sheep (Sheep Ring)
7 p.m. Static awards ceremony (Willamette Bldg.)
7:30 p.m. Barnyard Olympics (Beef Ring)
FRIDAY, JULY 15
7:30 a.m. Livestock/small animal exhibitors meeting (Swine Ring )
8 a.m. Chug-a-Lug contest (Swine Ring)
9 a.m. Open class beef show (Beef Ring)
9 a.m. Open class sheep show (Sheep/Goat Ring)
9 a.m. Livestock judging (Swine Ring)
10 a.m. Small animal master showmanship (Santiam Bldg.)
4 p.m. FFA large animal master showmanship (Swine Ring)
5 p.m. 4-H Large animal master showmanship (Beef and Sheep/Goat Rings)
6:30 p.m. FFA awards ceremony (Swine Ring)
SATURDAY, JULY 16
9 a.m. Livestock/small animal exhibitors meeting (Swine Ring)
9 a.m. 4-H awards ceremony (Auction Ring)
1 p.m. Market livestock auction (Calapooia Arena)
SUNDAY, JULY 17
9 a.m. Animals/static exhibits released