The Oregon Country Fair (OCF) is an annual three-day fair in Veneta, Oregon, United States. The site is about 15 miles west of Eugene, with an attendance of approximately 45,000. OCF begins on the Friday of the second weekend in July. The Fair began as a barter and craft fair in 1969 to raise funds for an alternative school and has been held every year since.
The volunteers were great and probably graduates from the Alternate Schools funded by the first fairs.
The parking area was dusty and a big open space with visitors walking in from long distances. We were lucky to find a handicapped spot near the entrance.
The Fair is a family event with face painting, puppet shows, and music for children. Women with bare breasts, often colorfully painted, are a common sight. Everything from utilikilts to little more than dried mud is worn. No alcohol is allowed and smoking is limited to designated areas. The fair has its own water and communications systems, recycling service, emergency medical team, traffic control, and security team.
Before entering we passed this green bus ...
... before entering under the giant Apple.
Upon entering we found an angular globe...
... a happy couple hiding behind an umbrella...
... and an elfen princess.
We (oh by the way Jill is visiting and came with Sharyn and I to the Fair) then stopped by Dana's Cheesecake & Bakery looking for Isaac and Nicole. They were not there so we moved on.
This is a family event and children and parents all seemed to be having fun. For a lot of people this is like a giant outdoor costume party.
There were several impromptu parades like this one with a giant goose.
Spread throughout was entertainment even it was a guy on a chair playing a guitar.
We saw a blue fairy and ...
... pink Hippos ...
... and a guy playing a didgeridoo while a young woman...
Was dancing with Hula Hoops
There were all kinds of tents with entertainment or events.
The Oregon Country Fair has over a dozen stages and venues featuring acts throughout the day. Musical acts incorporate many styles, including folk, rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, latin rhythms, slam poetry/spoken word, and others. Despite the fair's name, country music does not feature prominently in it. Participants can bring hand drums and join the Drum Tower, a drum circle that begins on Thursday morning and some years continues nonstop until the Fair closes. The Fair is also a popular place for jugglers and daredevil acts, and a gathering place for marching bands, stiltwalkers, musicians and other traveling entertainers. All tickets sold to the public are sold in advance at TicketsWest outlets and other retail centers throughout the Northwest. All tickets must be purchased off-site; no tickets will be sold at the fair site at any time. Public transportation is added in order to park and ride between Eugene and the OCF grounds non-stop throughout the days of the Fair.
One of my favorite pictures was of the folks sitting under the sun - in the shade.
There were really cool banners all over adding to the color of the fair...
... and colorful people some without costumes ...
... and other with costumes ...
... like the Cat in the Hat.
There were even some folks like me documenting the greatest hippie experience still going.
I did like this snow cone shop that adds a peace symbol atop every snow cone.
There was some really good stage entertainment for ...
... Totally Average folks - thanks for the picture and the nice smile.
The arts and crafts were represented...
... some with fine art and ...
... others with creative flower arrangements and vases...
... and always close by was food venues and ...
... more music.
We finally found Isaac...
... and Nicole at Dana's ...
... along with a huge and varied line of customers...
... some more varied than others...
... and some downright outrageous.
I got a shot of Willa with her dad in the background. Dana's is owned by their family and they all participate in making it one of the finest Cheesecake and Bakeries in the world.
One of the Dana Cheesecake staff is hiding behind the sign and it kinda looks like a mask to me.
On the way out I snapped this metal walrus...
... and these fair-goers, in costume, entering the front gate.
I got one last banner picture ...
... and a shot of this odd structure where about 200 bicycles were parked.
There is bus service to the fair and a huge sign pointing the way...
... and if that wasn't enough there were volunteers giving a hand.
I did decide not to try the sailboat and ...
I didn't even rent a room in this tepee...
... but I almost made an offer on this unique truck.
We had a great time and I'm sure I'll be back next year for a piece of Dana's Cheesecake.
Scrabble Score ~ Scrabble Queen 345 ~ The Contender 334
Quote of the Day ~
"The running capital of the world is also a hippie haven. The home of the University of Oregon is a gorgeous place, great for those who love the outdoors." ~ Keith Bellows
5 comments:
you have to love eugene; peace man!
yes to didjeridoo and hula hooping peacocks! <3
Peace and Harmony
delicious fun. Fair was awesome this year and I can't wait for good times next year! :) Thanks for the post.
I love the blue fairy.
Hey I'm trying to find jobs for friends of mine. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on people to talk to. I don't know very many people that work there, so I figure networking and talking to people is the best way to find out. So any help would be greatly appreciated. Fair just isn't the same without friends to share it with.
Post a Comment