It's time to start thinking about Marion County Fair

Anyone pondering thoughts about participating in the county fair should soon begin to cultivate them.

Manners in which to participate are numerous, from being a vendor, entering public competitions, providing entertainment or simply through volunteering.

The 2024 Marion County Fair is scheduled for Thursday through Sunday, July 11-14, at the Oregon State Fairgrounds 2330 17th St. NE, Salem.

The fair’s Volunteer Services Coordinator Sherry Lintner described the event as something much more than a yearly carnival.

“It’s a valued tradition, providing opportunities for community members to showcase their talents, socialize, support local vendors, and celebrate all things Marion County,” Lintner noted.

Of course, the carnival rides and arcade games can certainly be a blast.

The public contests are wide ranging, including categories such as creative arts, floral and garden products, hobbies, crafts, collections, photography, poetry, textiles and clothing and even Legos.

Those contests are part of the many attractions, which extend to include 4H and FFA exhibits (many from the north Marion County region), Puzzlemania, All-Alaskan Racing Pigs & Pedal Pullers, Barnyard Adventure and Kid Fit, Real Heroes exhibits, Flyball dogs, Brad’s World Reptiles, Pirate’s Parrot show and the wonderous Willamette Art Center.

Fair organizers are currently seeking community members to serve as key volunteers on the Marion County Fair Board, who work together and with fair staff to organize, manage and promote the fair. Key volunteers are appointed to three-year terms, and help by planning fair activities, overseeing special events, and managing special projects.

Lintner said key volunteers attend and participate in monthly Fair Board meetings and are on-site the week of the fair, which is held the second weekend of July. Key volunteers are considered first should there be a vacancy on the Fair Board.

Applicants must be residents of Marion County who are 18 or older.

To apply for a Key Volunteer position, submit a completed and signed advisory board application to volunteer@co.marion.or.us by 11:59pm on Friday, April 26, 2024. More information about fair attractions, tickets and volunteering is available at https://marioncountyfair.net or by calling (503) 585-9998.