Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo gets ready to ride

Deschutes County’s largest event — now more than a century old — is set to roll August 3-7.

The Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo mixes tradition and innovation to bring the region entertainment ranging from an acclaimed rodeo to a slate of concerts to rides and exhibitions — all while promoting the tradition of youth animal husbandry.

The four nights of rodeo are moving indoors this year. According to Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center Executive Director Geoff Hinds, the move reflects the popularity of the event.

“We know how much Central Oregon loves rodeo,” Hinds said.

The outdoor arena couldn’t accommodate the full spectator demand last year, so the event is coming in to the state-of-the art indoor arena, which features 4,000 permanent seats.

“It’ll allow us to take the rodeo to that next level,” Hinds said.

The rodeo performances are included with fair admission.

Three major new attractions will be featured in this year’s fair.

- Milord Entertainment offers an acrobatic high-diving show. Learn more at www.milordentertainment.com.

- Hinds noted that the fair will honor the county’s heritage in the timber industry with the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, running three or four times a day, with various activities including log rolling, crosscut sawing, axe throwing, and more.

“It really speaks to what Central Oregon used to be and where we come from — and what we still are and always will be,” Hinds said.

- Remembering Our Fallen is an exhibition that pays tribute to all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terror.

Traditional fair fare, like shopping and fair food, will be featured — with an additional six new food vendors debuting this year. Exhibits of exotic reptiles, open-class competitions, and lots of carnival games and rides make for a traditional slice of Americana that fairgoers have loved for 102 years.

This year’s slate of concerts features five days of entertainment — with the first-time addition of a Sunday show. Concerts are included with that day’s paid fair admission. The concert schedule is:

- Wednesday, August 3: Chase Rice

- Thursday, August 4: Daughtry

- Friday, August 5: Cheap Trick

- Saturday, August 6: T.I.

- Sunday, August 7: Virlan Garcia

Tickets to the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo and carnival wristbands are available for purchase at https://expo.deschutes.org/p/fair/tickets--hours.