Oregon’s biggest event of the year – the 146th Oregon State Fair – is set to open its gates at 10 AM on Friday, August 28. This year its guests – expected to exceed 365,000 in number – will experience a fair that’s BIGGER than ever, with new events and activities, plus all of the traditional favorites.
OPENING DAY HIGHLIGHTS
10 a.m. FAIR OPENING with State Fair Acting Manager Connie Bradley, staff and volunteers and The Big Tomato (a 13½ -foot-tall juicy guy on a 1935 International pickup truck). In celebration of Oregon’s 150th birthday, the Oregon State Fair will be passing out free party hats and noisemakers to the first 1,000 people through the gates. PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Crowds entering the main gate (Gate J on Sunnyview Road NE)
3:30 p.m. GOVERNOR TED KULONGOSKI AND FIRST LADY MARY OBERST will dedicate the new, 50’ tower at the 2009 Oregon State Fair and present the Oregon State Fair the first Oregon Heritage Traditions Award. At the end of the ceremony, Radio Disney will lead the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to Oregon in celebration of the state’s 150th birthday. Location: State Fair tower, located in the center of the fairgrounds, between the Natural Resource Area and Center Stage. PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Governor and new iconic Fair tower.
8 p.m. “OREGON! OREGON! 2009” – a rollicking Stan Freberg/Thomas Lauderdale musical with the 234th Army Band – Oregon National Guard and an all-star Oregonian cast, including former Governor Barbara Roberts, columnist Margie Boule and Pink Martini’s China Forbes – debuts in celebration of Oregon’s 150th birthday. After the 21-minute musical, there will be a full Pink Martini concert. PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: This update of the original 1959 Centennial radio play features live performers, a 9’ tall Beaver and the always colorful Thomas Lauderdale, master of the grand piano. The theme song includes the line “Celebrate, Beaver State!” **SPECIAL PRESS PASS REQUIRED TO ATTEND THIS SHOW. Contact sara.hamler-dupras@state.or.us or (503) 947-3259.**
Where
Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th Street NE, Salem, OR
When
Friday, August 28, 10 AM-11 PM
