14
JULY 27�AUG. 3, 2022
CULTURE & HERITAGE
CELEBRATING THE HISTORY
OF EASTERN OREGON
Celebrating 150 years!
Union County Fair
is Aug. 3-6
By Trish Yerges
Go! Magazine
LA GRANDE — This year, the Union
County Fair Association marks its 150th
anniversary with the theme “American
Flair at the County Fair.” The fair board
wishes to invite the public to a celebra-
tion party and lots of fun-packed events
during the Aug. 3-6 fair week.
Tickets are sold daily at the fairgrounds
entrance gate: $6 for adults; $4 for kids
7-17; kids age 6 and younger are free; $5
for veterans with military identifi cation;
seniors age 60 and older are free. Week-
pass bracelets will be sold Wednesday
only: $18 for adults and $12 for kids 7-17.
Fair board member Deb Cornford has
a great line-up of events starting with a
Kaladin Rasmussen
pets a baby goat
party at the fairgrounds to kick things off .
“We do plan to have a 150th celebra-
tion party,” she said, “inviting people for
cake and giveaways on Wednesday at
about 5:30 p.m. at the big stage.”
named Cindy Lou
at the 2021 Union
County Fair. See
animals, fi nd food and
listen to music at this
year’s fair, Aug. 3-6.
A HISTORY OF PERSEVERANCE
The 150-year-long history of the
Union County Fair traces back to Sept.
22, 1872, at a meeting in Cove, where the
Union County Agricultural Association
was formed to promote an annual fair.
The fi rst fair was held on C Avenue
in Old Town La Grande, now the top of
Fourth Street. In 1873, the fi rst fairground
was procured, being located about
3½ miles southeast of Island City near
Gekeler Lane. From 1891 to 1909, the
fairgrounds had moved temporarily onto
Island City Highway closer to La Grande.
After that time, the county fair became
The Observer, File
street fairs in La Grande, and then in 1912,
it made its fairgrounds just north of today’s
Dutch Brothers Coff ee drive-thru. That too
didn’t last long, so during 1922-26, it was
held in Elgin and Cove. It was even held in
Pioneer Park, but that wasn’t a large enough
venue to support its growing popularity.
A big break came in 1947, when the
Mavericks Riding Club off ered 10 acres of
its land to the Union County Fair Asso-
ciation, and in 1948, the fair made its
permanent home there.
WHAT’S NEW AT THE FAIR
You were there for us
now we’re here for you
Baker County Veteran Services
1995 3rd Street, Baker County Courthouse
541-523-8223
Rick Gloria, Veteran Services Coordinator
The Baker County Veteran
Services Office provides access
to the wide range of benefits
and services offered to
veterans and their dependents.
Health Care
Education
Compensation
Pension
Burial Benefits
& much more.
Cornford said the fair lineup of fun this
year will include some new events.
“We’ve brought in quite a bit of enter-
tainment to fi ll the small stage this year,
which hasn’t happened in several years.
We’re bringing back the Elkhorn Media
Group Talent Show, which we haven’t
done in a few years,” she said. “Also, Carla
and her young group of fi ddlers are new,
as is the Cory Peterson band.”
Lego Time is also a new feature of the
fair. Kids can compete to make their Lego
creations, which will be judged on Friday
to award a Champion Lego Builder.
The large stage will off er entertain-
ment every night. Some familiar acts
include Countryfi ed on Wednesday and
Tiller’s Folly on Thursday. Boise’s Ripple
Eff ect plays Friday, and Saturday fea-
tures Brewers Grade and an outdoor teen
dance, 8:30-10 p.m.
In addition, the fair will be off ering
horseback rides for the kids and face
painting. The Mavericks will put on a
mutton-busting event between 7–8 p.m.
following the parade down Adams Avenue
starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. The Grand
Marshal this year is Jessie Barreto Baker
of Cove, a dedicated 4-H leader.
For more details, go to www.
unioncountyfair.org. For more history,
visit goeasternoregon.com.
Bring this ad to the Chamber office and
get
20% off all Grant County Swag!
Take a picture of you and your family at the Conestoga Wagon
at the viewpoint above Prairie City and tag us on
Instagram @grant_county_oregon_chamber!
www.gcoregonlive.com
301 W. Main Street, John Day, OR 541-575-0547