Country Fairs in Oregon
Oregon's country fair tradition blends the state's deep agricultural roots with its distinctive counterculture spirit and environmental consciousness. The Oregon State Fair in Salem has been running since 1861, showcasing the bounty of the Willamette Valley and beyond. But Oregon is also home to the legendary Oregon Country Fair near Veneta, a three-day celebration of art, music, and handmade crafts that has drawn tens of thousands each July since 1969.
From the fertile Willamette Valley — one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world — to the cattle ranches of Eastern Oregon and the fruit orchards of the Hood River Valley, county fairs celebrate the diversity of Oregon agriculture. The state's 36 counties each have their own fair traditions, with a noticeable emphasis on sustainability, artisan crafts, and farm-to-table values that reflect Oregon's progressive agricultural community.
Top Country Fair Events in Oregon
- Oregon State Fair — Salem; held each summer at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, featuring livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, craft competitions, a fine arts show, and entertainment.
- Oregon Country Fair — Veneta (near Eugene); a three-day July festival celebrating handmade crafts, live music, performance art, and community, held in a wooded setting since 1969.
- Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo — Redmond; Central Oregon's premier agricultural fair with livestock shows, rodeo events, craft exhibits, and entertainment at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds.
- Tillamook County Fair — Tillamook; a coastal Oregon tradition celebrating the region's famous dairy industry with livestock shows, cheese-making heritage, and community events.
- Hood River County Fair — Odell; a harvest celebration in the fruit-growing heart of the Columbia River Gorge, featuring orchard produce, craft exhibits, and family entertainment.
What to Expect
Oregon county fairs feature livestock competitions in cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, and rabbits, with 4-H and FFA youth exhibitors playing a central role. Produce displays highlight the state's extraordinary agricultural diversity — Oregon grows over 220 commercially grown crops, from hazelnuts and berries to grass seed, hops, and Christmas trees. Home arts competitions include canning, baking, quilting, and fiber arts, with a strong emphasis on locally sourced and sustainable practices.
The Oregon Country Fair near Eugene stands apart as a unique blend of craft fair, music festival, and community gathering, with hundreds of juried artisan vendors selling handmade goods in a forested setting. More traditional county fairs across the state include rodeo events (especially in Eastern Oregon), tractor pulls, and carnival rides. Oregon's wine country fairs in the Willamette Valley often incorporate vineyard tours and tasting events. Fair season runs from late June through September.
Popular Cities for Country Fairs
- Portland — Gateway to Willamette Valley fairs and home to urban farm events and artisan markets
- Salem — Home of the Oregon State Fair, the state's largest agricultural exposition
- Eugene — Near the Oregon Country Fair and Lane County agricultural events in the southern Willamette Valley
- Bend — Central Oregon base near the Deschutes County Fair and high desert agricultural events
See all craft events in Oregon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Oregon Country Fair?
The Oregon Country Fair is a three-day event held each July in a wooded site near Veneta, outside Eugene. Founded in 1969, it features hundreds of juried handmade craft vendors, multiple music stages, performance art, food booths, and a strong community atmosphere. It is one of the most distinctive craft and cultural fairs in the country, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year.
When is the Oregon State Fair?
The Oregon State Fair is held each summer at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, typically running in late August through early September. It features livestock competitions, agricultural exhibits, a fine arts show, craft competitions, live entertainment, carnival rides, and food vendors showcasing Oregon's agricultural products.
Do Oregon fairs emphasize sustainability?
Many Oregon fairs incorporate sustainability and farm-to-table values more prominently than fairs in other states. The Oregon Country Fair is known for its environmental stewardship practices. County fairs increasingly feature organic and sustainable farming exhibits, and artisan food and craft vendors at Oregon fairs often emphasize locally sourced materials and sustainable production methods.