WINNER: Oregon State Fair. This year, the fair will live up to its slogan, “Too big to miss.” The fair opens today with timber competitions, an interactive dinosaur exhibit and other new activities to complement the beloved traditional homecraft, farm animal and chocolate-cake contests.
Swinging an ax and wielding a saw is a century-plus-old tradition in Oregon. The timber industry helped build the state, and lumberjacking used to be one of the biggest trades in the Northwest. So it’s surprising that the premier timber sports competition, the Stihl Timbersports Series, hasn’t been to Oregon … until now.
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.
Ann Forsthoefel, Portland Farmers Market’s executive director, announced Thursday that she will leave her job at the end of the year to move to Missoula, Mont., with her husband.