Eugene weekly., July 07, 2016, Page 21, Image 21

o r e g o n c o u n t r y fa i r 2 0 1 6
Notes of a fair
Virgin
A writer who’s never been
to Fair wonders what the
big deal could be
really do not understand Oregon Country Fair.
I’ve read the FAQ page, spoken with a handful of Fair-goers
and have gotten the scoop on staying overnight. It’s been sev-
eral years since I’ve moved to Eugene and yet the mystery of
Fair remains: What’s the big deal?
A few times I’ve made the mistake of actually uttering such
a question to a diehard Fair lover. I was then quickly confronted
with a sense of blasphemy and deep sadness regarding my na-
iveté. After the initial shock, the person I’ve clearly offended
usually responds with, “You have to go — you just have to.”
It sounds a bit cult-like to an outsider (think about it), but there’s probably a reason for
people to get so pumped about sunburns, funnel cakes and over-priced everything.
From bits of information I’ve gathered regarding the hoopla, Fair sounds like a low-
key ’shroom trip mixed with a kid-friendly folk music festival. One can almost smell the
odeur de marijuana lingering in the air. Yep, I can see it now: folks in costumes, face paint
and a shit-ton of body odor — and some people probably are, indeed, tripping the fuck out
despite the Fair’s drug- and alcohol-free policy on that FAQ.
But maybe there’s something magical about the essence of Oregon Country Fair —
what it stands for and what it brings to the community. It does seem cool that the masses
of Eugene and surrounding areas gather in some field near Veneta, simply to get weird
with one another. Some people have been going since they were kids and are now sharing
the experience with their own little ones (whose faces are probably caked in paint within
the first hour).
Fair does seem to have a community-bonding vibe about it. If you’re into human in-
teraction, there are probably plenty of new people to meet and activities to be had. There
might even be a craft circle.
And just think of the local crafts scene. Gadgets, gizmos and abstract pieces you have
to stare at strictly with your head cocked to the side while saying, “Ohhhhh.” I also hear
the whole shebang is full of astonishing creations from gigantic to minuscule, with art in
every form imaginable.
Okay, so Fair doesn’t sound that intimidating. It sounds rad, actually. Whatever the
hell is going on in that field, it seems to have grown into an integral part of good ol’ Eu-
gene culture. A tradition that, however strange, may just be a really wonderful, once-in-a-
lifetime experience. — Kelsey Anne Rankin
I
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eugeneweekly.com • July 7, 2016
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