The Oregon State Fair’s subtitle this year is “Too Big to Miss.” So how does the 11-day celebration of the state measure up? After nearly 150 years in existence, organizers are happy to share that the fair is more massive than ever, thanks to big beards, big dogs, big lumberjacks (and lumberjills), big wines and big championships.
The spirit of the fair, say organizers, is to feature the best of Oregon while adding new events that will draw people from around the state to Salem. Along with fair staples — fuzzy animals, livestock barns, horse shows, agriculture exhibits and carnival rides — big new features this year include the Stihl Timbersports Series championships (see story on Page X), where lumberjacks and -jills saw and chop their way to an international title; a life-sized dinosaur exhibit; concerts from hall-of-fame rockers; a new outdoor dirt racetrack; and a Northwest all-star performance of “Frogtown.”
Big dinosaurs
As far as we know, there are no dinosaur ranches in Oregon, but the extinct reptilians have been given new life at the “Days of the Dinosaurs” exhibit. Thirty life-sized animatronic dinosaurs — including Triceratops, Velociraptor and T. rex himself — will tower over the humans at this impressive exhibit in the Oregon Pavilion.
“It’s going to be amazing. They’re big … it’s great family fun,” said Connie Bradley, Oregon State Fair manager. “We’re one of only seven spots in the U.S. to get this exhibit.”
Dino fans will begin their journey back millions of years with a 3-D movie about the extinct lizards, then walk into a replica dinosaur environment to get up close and personal with the moving models. Kids can have their own archaeological fun at a fossil dig sand area, be artistic at the coloring area, eat dino food items at the cafe and even climb on a dino or two.
Exhibit is $3 for children 11 and younger, $5 for ages 12 and older; plus fair admission
Read the full story on OregonLive.com here
