We've all heard of the Oregon State Fair, but it wasn't until recently that I learned about the whimsical wonderland of the Oregon Country Fair just 15 minutes west of Eugene. This annual three day celebration is all about art, music, food, free expression, and family. It's not only one of Oregon's more unique fairs, but it's also one of the most exciting fairs our state have to offer. Parades, puppets, aerial acts and so much more set this fair apart from all the rest.

Excitement At The Oregon Country Fair In Veneta, Oregon

Unless you've been to this fair before, then there's not much else we can compare it to. It's been described as, "the finest collection of vaudevillians since the 1920’s." It's not like the state fair, or a county fair. Yes, there's food and music, but this is more like a piece of art exploded off the edges of a canvas and out into the woods west of Eugene. This unique fair is a mixture free expression, imagination, and quiet forested nooks perfect for contemplation, all in a gorgeous wooded setting.

When does the Oregon Country Fair take place? The Oregon country fair takes place on July 12th, 13th, and 14th 2024 from 11 AM - 7 PM.

What Is There To Do At The Oregon Country Fair?

Let's hit the fair basics first, and then dive into all the unique options there are on offer.

• Food - You'll find all kinds of dining options at the fair grounds including organic, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free food. Burgers, seafood, smoothies, gumbo, cookies, salads, coffee, Afghani and Mexican food are just a few of the 70+ options!

• Music and live performances - This festival is known for it's insane amount of live performances. Over the course of three days there will be 500+ performances across 17 stages. We're talking folk dances, poetry, live bands, puppet shows, a cowboy circus, a belly dance show, jazz, roots rock, acoustic hippie punk, and so much more! You can see a daily calendar of all the live performances here. With all of the live performances, there won't be a single moment to grow bored at the Country Fair.

So there's food, music and other live performances. That's all standard fair stuff, so what's unique about the Oregon Country Fair? I'm glad you asked.

• Parades - Parades featuring artistry, music and costumes are a time-honored tradition at The Oregon Country Fair. The 'Peachi The Dragon' parade is open for fair-goers to join and starts at 1:45 each day at the Dragon Lair in Chela Mela Meadow. Then there's the 'Risk Of Change' parade, where wacky characters weave around the 8 and invite festival visitors to join in on the fun. The final parade is the 'Last Grasp Sweep Band' which signals the end of the fair.
• Hair Braiding, Body Painting And More - Because this festival is all about free expression, you'll find a lot of places at the festival to get your face or body painted and your hair braided!

• Crafts And Artisans - There are all kinds of fun little shops to explore at the fair. From glass art, to healing salves, natural crafts and folk art, leatherwork, musical instruments, textile and fiber arts, jewelry, esoteric arts and more, there's tons to explore here. There's even toys and games to check out and buy! With hundreds of artisans selling their interesting wares and handcrafted goods, you're sure to find something you like.

Are There Things For Kids To Enjoy At The Oregon Country Fair? Absolutely!

The Oregon Country Fair is like one gigantic playground full of activities to keep kids and adults alike occupied. Kids love to see the daily parades, get their face painted, and to visit Chela Mela Meadow and Xavanadu, where there are lots of fun activities like costume making and hoola hooping. There's also Wally's Way, which is a well shaded, family-friendly wonderland full of activities, a playground, a climbing structure, and even a free library! Kids also love to take in a puppet show, listen to different kinds of music, and even dress up to attend the fair.

What does a ticket cost for a child to attend the fair? Tickets to the fair cost $60 per day, but kids 12 years and under get in for free with a paid adult ticket! You can get your tickets here.

Oregon Country Fair Information

See the map below for the location of the Oregon Country Fair:

Note: Parking at the fair costs $15 per vehicle per day. There's also a shuttle you can take if you park off-site. See the fair website for more information on the shuttle.

• Tickets: Buy your tickets to the fair here.
• Fair dates: July 12th, 13th, and 14th 2024 from 11 AM - 7 PM.
• Get more information about the Oregon Country Fair here.

How many people attend the Oregon Country Fair each year? Each year about 45,000 people attend the fair over the course of three days.