Get ready for corn dogs, carnival rides, and country charm—summer fair season is in full swing across the Portland Metro and Southwest Washington, and the fun is just getting started!
Washington County Fair — Hillsboro, OR
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Dates: July 18–27, 2025
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Location: Westside Commons, 873 NE 34th Ave, Hillsboro
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Highlights: Free admission; daily carnival rides; live music and entertainment; 4‑H livestock and science exhibits; reptile shows; movie nights; photo ops with Big Fair Frank
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Why Go: It’s free, family-friendly, and features a diverse lineup of activities—perfect for an evening outing (opens around 5 PM on weekdays, earlier on weekends)
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Tip: Ride MAX to avoid parking fees.
Clackamas County Fair & Canby Rodeo — Canby, OR
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Dates: August 12–16, 2025
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Location: Clackamas County Event Center, 694 NE 4th Ave, Canby
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Highlights: PRCA-sanctioned rodeo nightly at 7:30 PM; Rainier Amusements carnival opens daily at 1 PM; livestock and 4‑H exhibits; creative arts; food booths and vendor market; Talent Search
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Why Go: Offers true county-fair charm with rodeo thrills, crafts, agriculture, and carnival rides tailored for all ages.
Clark County Fair — Ridgefield, WA
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Dates: August 1–10, 2025
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Location: Clark County Fairgrounds, 17402 NE Delfel Rd (near Vancouver, WA)
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Highlights: Grandstand events including rodeos, demolition derbies, and monster trucks; national headliner concerts (e.g., Kansas on Aug 3); carnival midway; farm animals; local food and entertainment
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Why Go: A full-throttle 10-day fair with motorsports and music—ideal for Southwest Washington visitors and just a short drive from Portland.
Oregon State Fair — Salem, OR
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Dates: August 22 – September 1, 2025
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Location: Oregon State Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 2330 17th St NE, Salem
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Highlights: Eleven days of concerts (Beach Boys, Cheap Trick, Wynonna Judd, and more); dozens of carnival rides and games; livestock competitions; culinary and craft contests; vendor market and fair food
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Why Go: Oregon’s largest fair of the season—packed with entertainment, food, shows, and exhibitions for every interest.
Fair Planning Tips
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Beat the crowds: Arrive early or attend on weekdays to avoid peak times.
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Save money: Look for discount days (Kids, Seniors, Military) or advance wristbands.
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Concert schedules: Check grandstand performance times in advance.
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Parking and transit: Use MAX for Hillsboro; consider shuttle options in Salem.
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Book ahead: For Canby and Salem, grab wristbands and concert tickets early.
This lineup covers a wide range of summer fair experiences—from free local fun in Hillsboro to big-time concerts and rodeos. Whether you're chasing thrills, animals, crafts, or live music, this curated list has it all.
