Listen "Spotlight on Oregon's State Fair"
Episode Synopsis
The first fair for the Oregon Agricultural Society was held at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds, near Oregon City on the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th days of October in 1861. The Weekly Oregon reported on June 28, 1862 that the Board of Managers for the Oregon State Agricultural Society, meeting in Salem on June 16, 1862, decided to hold the second State Fair at the Fairgrounds of the Marion County Society on the first Wednesday in October for four days. The location near Oregon City was problematic, due to its proximity to the river and flooding. The Weekly Oregon reported on September 20, 1862 that the issue of selecting a permanent location for the State Agricultural Fair was considered at the regular biennial session of the Society at their September 17-18th meeting in 1862, and the Marion County Society Fairgrounds was selected as the permanent location for the Oregon State Fair, where it has been held ever since. There are three designated historic buildings on the Fairgrounds including the Criterion Schoolhouse, the Horse Stadium and the Poultry Building. This year’s fair will be the 163rd year it has been held in Salem and it will run through September 1rst. For more information please visit: oregonstatefair.org
More episodes of the podcast Salem History Moment
The Turkey Trot
21/11/2025
Spotlight on West Salem
14/11/2025
Veterans Day
07/11/2025
Native American Heritage Month
31/10/2025
Spotlight on Nell Sykes
16/10/2025
Celebrating 100 Years of Salem City Planning
09/10/2025
Indigenous Peoples Day
03/10/2025
Spotlight on Salem Human Rights
26/09/2025
Hispanic Heritage Month
18/09/2025
Salem's Capital Pride in the Park
12/09/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.