Oregon

What you need to know about the Oregon County Fair

Published

1 year ago

June 22, 2024

What you need to know about the Oregon County Fair

The 55th annual Oregon Country Fair kicks off July 12 and tickets are already selling quickly.

The fair is touted as a celebration of art, music, earth and family where attendees are encouraged to dress with flair and let their inner child romp with glee as they wander through a fairy-like village in the forest near Veneta, about 15 miles west of Eugene.

In preparation for this year’s Mainstage lineup, officials with the OCF Administration created a playlist on Spotify titled “Official OCF 2024 Playlist.” Artists and bands include Dadweed, Haley Johnsen, Reggie Watts, Everyone Orchestra, Fruition, Robin Jackson and the Caravan, Rett Madison, Jackie Venson, TBA, Ghost-Note, Steve Poltz, Greaterkind with Lo Steele, Tolliver, Glitterfox!, and The California Honeydrops.

General information

The 55th Annual Oregon Country Fair is scheduled for July 12-14, operating 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily. About 45,000 people attend the three-day event.

Tickets are sold through aftontickets.com.

Tickets can also be purchased at the Oregon Country Fair Administration building at 442 Lawrence St. in Eugene on Mondays or Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m. until Tuesday.

General admission tickets for the fair went on sale last week for $60 each. Early bird tickets and three-day tickets for the Fair are sold out.

Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Seniors 65 and older can receive a $5 discount.

Vendors

Hundreds of artisan booths will be on-site, boasting hand-made goods like accessories, jewelry, body care, candles, ceramics and pottery, clothing and hats, rocks and crystals, woodworking, painting, instruments, leatherwork and more. Services include massages, energy work and tarot card readings.

Dozens of food booths and carts will also be available at the Fair, including the likes of drink stations for smoothies and orange juice, Cajun cuisine, hamburgers, Philly cheese steaks, pizza and calzones, falafel, empanadas, dumplings, tamales, pie, tofu, candy and more.

ODF has posted a full list of its food and vendors on its website.

Events and activities

The Oregon Country Fair has at least 17 stages this year.

A variety of musicians will take to the mainstage from rock and roll bands to solo acoustic artists. Other events range from spoken word to belly dancing to Vaudeville to gardening, arts and crafts, and more.

There are many parades throughout the day. For attendees who want to join a parade, they can visit the Dragon Lair in Chela Mela Meadow to meet Peachi the Dragon before she marches through the fairgrounds with her drummers starting at 11 a.m.

Family-friendly entertainment

Oregon Country Fair prides itself on its kid-friendly atmosphere and activities. On the Youth Stage, families can watch puppet shows, musical performances, jugglers and acrobats.

Families with children can visit Wally’s Way, a semi-supervised kid-friendly area with a playground, climbing structure, free library, and plenty of shade.

Resting areas for families will also be available at Mellow Space and Groover’s Grove featuring diaper-changing areas and shady seating to rest and let children explore various sensory activities in a safe and fairly confined area.

Transportation and Camping

Parking at the Fair costs $15 per day, per vehicle. Parking can be purchased when buying tickets through Afton Tickets or upon arrival at the fair. Carpooling is encouraged.

A free shuttle bus service from Eugene to the Oregon Country Fairgrounds will be available for visitors all weekend starting at 10 a.m. at the Lane Transit District Station at 10th Ave. and Willamette Street and at the Valley River Center northwest parking lot next to the bike bridge. The last bus leaves the fair site at 7:30 p.m.

Another shuttle service will operate Friday and Saturday between Veneta and the Fairgrounds. Visitors can find the shuttle service in Veneta at Carson Card Lock located at 25095 Jeans Road. The shuttles will depart from Carson Card Lock at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. Return trips leave the Fair at 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.

There is no camping at the fair site but there are options nearby.

Neighboring campsites include Zumwalt Campground, Carefree Campground, Darling Reunion Campground, GnomeWood Camp, EZ Camp, Sol Creek Farms, and The Other Side.

What to pack for a day at the Fair

According to the Oregon Country Fair Administration, packing the following items will make your fair experience more enjoyable:

A refillable, non-glass water bottle
Backpacks, purses, and fanny packs do not have to be clear.
Sunglasses
Sunscreen and an umbrella
Comfortable shoes
Hand Sanitizer
Face Mask
A fun costume

Visit the OCF website at oregoncountryfair.org for more information.

Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@registerguard.com

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Oregon

Oregon factory jobs fall to lowest point in a dozen years

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Oregon factory jobs fall to lowest point in a dozen years

Oregon’s manufacturing sector continues its rapid decline with employment down more than 5% in the past year. Newly released state data shows factory employment has fallen below the depths it hit in the dark days of the pandemic recession.

The state had about 177,000 manufacturing jobs in September, the Oregon Employment Department reported last week. That’s the fewest number since December 2013.

Manufacturing is a big deal in Oregon. The state has a higher concentration of blue-collar jobs than most other states, a function of its roots in forest products, food processing and electronics manufacturing.

The state’s tax code also favors heavy industry. Oregon has no sales tax and offers lucrative property tax exemptions to large manufacturers. It exempts companies from income and revenue taxes on products they make here and sell in other states or countries, though the state’s new corporate activity tax is adding to the cost of some equipment and materials that manufacturers use.

Oregon factories began shedding jobs three years ago but as recently as last spring state economists were hopeful the worst was over. It wasn’t. The decline accelerated as the year went on and Oregon has now lost nearly 10,000 factory jobs in the past 12 months.

Much of the trouble corresponds to severe issues in Oregon’s semiconductor industry, the state’s largest economic sector in dollar terms.

Intel remains the state’s largest corporate employer but it has laid off more than 6,000 workers since the summer of 2024. The chipmaker’s Oregon workforce is at its lowest point in more than a dozen years, at a little more than 16,000 local employees.

Intel is struggling to overcome years of setbacks in its production technology, playing catchup to industry leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. CEO Lip-Bu Tan says a smaller workforce will make Intel more agile.

It’s not just Intel cutting jobs. Microchip Technology, Onsemi and others have laid off an unspecified number of Oregon workers in response to setbacks in their own businesses. Altogether, Oregon chipmakers have shed about a fifth of their jobs in the past 18 months.

President Donald Trump’s trade war may also be playing a role in Oregon’s manufacturing woes. The president says his tariffs are designed to bring factory jobs back to the U.S. but they have also triggered retaliatory tariffs from other countries.

That stings in Oregon, which is among the most trade-dependent states in the nation. The state’s exports were down 19% through the first nine months of the year, according to the latest federal data collected by WiserTrade. It’s not clear how much of that decline was triggered by the trade war, though, and to what degree fewer exports translated into fewer jobs.

In their quarterly revenue forecast last month, state economists told a legislative committee that Oregon factory workers are also spending less time on the job in recent months — a worrisome sign that suggests manufacturers are continuing to scale back.

“The current direction of manufacturing hours worked per week in Oregon, coupled with ongoing job losses, raises concerns for the sector,” the economists wrote.

This is Oregon Insight, The Oregonian’s weekly look at the numbers behind the state’s economy. View past installments here.

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Oregon

Lake scores 16, Oregon State knocks off Montana State 67-57

Published

20 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Lake scores 16, Oregon State knocks off Montana State 67-57

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Josiah Lake’s 16 points helped Oregon State defeat Montana State 67-57 on Saturday.

Lake had eight rebounds and six assists for the Beavers (6-5). Dez White added 12 points while shooting 4 for 11, including 2 for 7 from beyond the arc while he also had five rebounds. Isaiah Sy shot 4 for 8, including 3 for 7 from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points.

The Bobcats (4-7) were led in scoring by Patrick McMahon, who finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Jeremiah Davis added nine points for Montana State.

Oregon State used a 10-2 run in the second half to build a 10-point lead at 63-53 with 2:02 left in the half before finishing off the win.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Oregon

How Oregon’s Defense Ranks Compared To James Madison

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

How Oregon’s Defense Ranks Compared To James Madison

While the No. 5 Oregon Ducks offense has been the glue of the team’s success this season, their defense has also played a pivotal role in helping them earn a spot in the College Football Playoff for a second consecutive year.

Entering their first-round home playoff matchup against the No. 12 James Madison Dukes, Oregon aims to capitalize on defense, which is crucial in their goal of making a run at its first National Championship in program history. Oregon enters the playoff as one of the highest-ranked at-large teams behind the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes.

Where Does Oregon’s Defense Stack Up Against James Madison, CFP Field?

Oregon outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei, left, and Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman bring down Washington running back Jonah Coleman as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Despite the Ducks being an overwhelming 21.5-point favorite over James Madison, according to ESPN BET Sportsbook, the first-round playoff matchup in Eugene will be a battle between two dominant defenses.

James Madison is second in the country in total defense behind Ohio State, allowing 247.6 yards per game. The Ducks’ defense is ranked No. 4 in total defense, allowing 251.6 yards per game.

Oregon’s defense has several contributors who have led the team under defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi this season, including Matayo Uiagalelei and A’Mauri Washington up front on the defensive line. Bryce Boettcher and Teitum Tuioti have also been dominant players at linebacker this season for the Ducks.

Boettcher leads the Ducks with 103 total tackles, one interception, and one sack this season. Dillon Thieneman, Brandon Finney Jr., and Aaron Flowers have been key contributors in the secondary with four interceptions combined.

MORE: Weather Concerns Begin For Oregon’s Playoff Game vs. James Madison

MORE: Three Reasons Why Oregon Could Be The Most Dangerous Playoff Team

MORE: Oregon Ducks Projected to Make Program History In 2026 NFL Draft

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When it comes to scoring defense, the Ducks are ranked No. 6 among the other 12 playoff teams, allowing 14.8 points per game.

The five playoff teams that rank above the Ducks in scoring defense include No. 2 Ohio State (8.2), No. 1 Indiana (10.8), No. 4 Texas Tech (10.9), No. 10 Miami (13.8), and No. 8 Oklahoma (13.9). Oregon’s first round opponent, James Madison, is ranked one spot below the Ducks at No. 7 in scoring defense, allowing 15.9 points per game.

Oregon’s Defense Strengths and Weaknesses

Oregon outside linebacker Teitum Tuioti, left, defensive lineman A’Mauri Washington and outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei celebrate a sack by Tuioti as the Oregon Ducks host the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Nov. 14, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

If the Ducks beat James Madison in the first round of the playoff, they’ll face the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the CFP Quarterfinals at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. A potential matchup between the Red Raiders and the Ducks in the Orange Bowl could come down to whichever defense performs better. While Oregon’s pass defense has been dominant throughout the season, its rush defense could jeopardize the Ducks’ quest for a championship.

The Ducks rank No. 8 among playoff teams in rushing defense, allowing 107.3 yards per game. Texas Tech ranks No. 1, allowing 68.5 yards per game. The Red Raiders’ rush defense’s ability to shut down Oregon’s dominant running back trio of Noah Whittington, Jordon Davison, and Dierre Hill Jr. will be one of the biggest keys in a potential Orange Bowl matchup.

Sep 5, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; James Madison Dukes running back Wayne Knight (3) runs the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images | Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

It’ll be interesting to see how Oregon’s defense holds up against a talented James Madison offense that will have a chip on its shoulder as a massive underdog. The Dukes’ offense, led by quarterback Alonza Barnett III and star running back Wayne Knight, will challenge Oregon’s defense early on, but expect the Ducks to win convincingly.

Oregon will host James Madison at Autzen Stadium to open up the CFP on Dec. 20, with the kickoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT. The game broadcast will be on TNT, HBO Max, and truTV.