From one end of the fairgrounds to the other, an army of employees works to keep the Oregon State Fair humming along.
Most work for vendors. They are the smiling faces at the food stands. They are the eager salespeople who hope you will stop and listen.
The State Fair runs through Labor Day and opens at 10 a.m. daily. The fair runs until 10 p.m. through Thursday, then it is open until 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The finale on Monday ends at 10 p.m.
Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under 5. Seniors? Anyone age 65 and older pays $3.
Cassidy Clark extols the benefits of a hot tub model to prospective buyers visiting Haven’s hot tub booth at the Oregon State Fair on August 24, 2024. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)An Oregon State Fair employee sells tickets at a booth on August 25, 2024. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)A member of The Beat Goes On marching band entertains the crowd during a parade at the Oregon State Fair on August 24, 2024. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)A member of The Beat Goes On marching band entertains the crowd during a parade at the Oregon State Fair on August 24, 2024. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)An employee at JR’s Taqueria stand keeps food fresh and warm during the Oregon State Fair on Aug. 25, 2024. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Denice Ackerson of DA Leather measures a belt for a customer at her booth at the Oregon State Fair on August 24, 2024. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Gabriel F. keeps the food chain running at the concession stand at the Oregon State Fair on August 25, 2024. His employer did not allow him to use his full name. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Oscar Carrillo displays his favorite plant for sale in his booth at the Oregon State Fair on August 25, 2024. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)John S., ride operator, shows roller coaster riders how to properly show their excitement as they go around the curves at the Oregon State Fair on Aug. 24, 2024. His employer did not allow him to use his last name. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)Emily Wolff of Oregon Beverage Services delivers a beverage to a customer at the Oregon State Fair at the State Fairgrounds on Aug. 24, 2024. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer and avid diver for 15 years. On land, she has been photographing since she was 12 and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter. She also purchases land full-time for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University and has traveled extensively throughout the world and the United States.
