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Clatsop County Fair 2008 Surf & Turf

Staff June 28, 2008


The Clatsop County Fair will be July 29th through August 2nd. This year’s fair theme is “Surf and Turf” with colors of blue and green. Thursday, July 31st, is buddy day, with two for one admission and carnival rides. The Fairgrounds are just outside of Astoria city limits, four miles from the New Youngs Bay Bridge Roundabout, on Highway 202. Watch for the signs and take a left on to Walluski Loop Road. Sunset Transit runs buses to the fairgrounds throughout the day from many points in the Astoria/Warrenton area.

County Fair History
The first Clatsop County Fair was held with the annual Astoria Regatta in 1905 at the Hedrick Theater at 12th and Duane streets in downtown Astoria. In 1911, the county granges brought the fair to Gearhart Park. By 1920, the fair had returned to downtown Astoria. The fair was held at the Port of Astoria from 1921 until 1941, when the fairground opened at 20th Street and Marine Drive at the east end of Astoria. This site was used through the 1994 season.
In 1994, Clatsop County turned over the old John Jacob Astor Experiment Station (more recently used as the Clatsop Community College farm) to the Fair Board for the new home. County voters approved a $1.995 million bond measure and, with revenue from the sale of the old site, for improvements. However, the county used accrued timber revenues to pay off bonds, and taxpayers never had to pay the bond measure.
Since opening in August 1995 at our present location, the fairground has been in constant use. Events have included concerts by Willie Nelson and Tracy Lawrence, monster trucks, mud bogs, car shows, swap meets, circus, go-kart races, wedding receptions, bazaars, banquets, meeting, indoor rodeos and many large RV rallies.

County Fair 2008

Theme Surf & Turf
July 29th – August 2nd
Fair is right around the corner. You have barely one month to get those projects ready for exhibiting. This year the talent show is back with cash prizes for first and second places winners. Registration is required”>Registration is required. Also, amateur backyard Grill Masters are wanted for the Big Cluck Grill-off. Prizes include a Traegger Wood Pellet Grill.

Make sure you take a good gander at the Exhibitors Guide so you know how to best display that great shot of the solar eclipse or your grandpa’s famous pickles. All open class exhibits will be entered on Sunday, July 27, 2008 from 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. All Hall exhibits will be judged July 28, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. until complete. The hall is closed to the public that day. All exhibits will be released on Sunday August 3rd from Noon – 5 PM. No article shall be withdrawn before the close of the fair.

Fair Entertainment every day and night of the four day event will have special entertainment including Karaoke from Hell, Zsa Zsa, Shane Dwight Band, Bond St Blues Band, Coyote Creek, Floating Glass Balls, Brownsmead Flats, Texas Tribute – ZZ Top Tribute Band.

Start Planning Ahead
2008 Clatsop County Fair Talent Show – This year cash prizes are being offered to first & second place winners! The first place winner in both Adult & Youth divisions will have the opportunity to perform at the Oregon State Fair for a chance to win the State Talent Show Competition. Access Rules & Entry Form.

Kids Pedal Tractor Pull – A very popular event at last year’s fair. Kids get a chance to test their strength by pedaling a tractor 30 yards. The further they go the harder it gets to pedal.



Big Cluck Grill-Off – 2nd Annual Oregon Fryer Commission’s Big Cluck Grill-Off. Amateur Backyard Grill Masters please apply! Win statewide bragging rights & great prizes including a Traeger Wood Pellet Grill! Our local Clatsop County contest will be held Saturday, August 2nd at 9:00 AM. Access an entry form on the Oregon Fryer Commission’s Website.

Dock Dogs – Appearing two days only – Tues. July 29th and Wed. July 30th. They will be having Big Air, Extreme Vertical and Speed Retrieve Dog competition and shows. Time will be announced.
















Fair Admission, Carnival Passes and Parking
Gate Admission is $5.00 for Adults with a discount for Seniors 62 and up and Youth ages 6 to 12 – $3.00. Children 5 and under are free. Parking is $2.00 per car. You can buy a booster button package and receive five admissions and free parking for two for $45. Access Order Form here.

Armbands for all day carnival rides – $19.00

4 Comments

On Jun 28, 8:22 PM, 4-H family supporter wrote:

It looks like a lot of entertainment, which is great and the price for admission is pretty good, too. I hope there are more vendors this year. Each year there seems to be a steady decline in vendors with last year being the ultimate WORSE yet, with nary a coffee stand, even! Favorites: Elephant ears and the homemade donuts, hard to eat either one without coffee! Hope Mike heard the crumbles last year.  One of my favorite fairs included a two day craft special exhibit with crafters showing off their wares and a two day medical/alternative medicines special with herbs and supplies. That was a BIG fair and it was only a couple of years back. Then, suddenly, the next year we had next to nothing and last year just about nothing. When kids have to stay the WHOLE day to look after cleaning stalls and keeping aisles cleared (they usually only show one or two days) that makes for a lot of down time for moms to cringe about what the kids are into! If we are busy looking at stuff we don’t cringe so much (haha)!

On Jun 30, 10:01 PM, Matt Samuelson wrote:

Don’t forget the Logging Show Saturday Aug. 2nd at 11:00am, The Best part of the fair!!!!!!

On Jul 1, 10:32 PM, Phil wrote:

I didn’t see it on the event list anywhere! Glad to see it will be back.  If its “surf and turf” What is the surf part? Will there be a bass tournament?

On Aug 3, 1:04 AM, Logger groupie wrote:

Great show, Matt, good job!

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