Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry of the band Alabama play onstage at the LB Day amphitheater during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
The city of Salem moved the city’s Fourth of July celebration to protect the bald eagle population at Riverfront Park this year, but there was still fun times to be had at the Oregon State Fairgrounds.
The celebration was family friendly with carnival rides, yard games, and plenty of places to spread out chairs and blankets to enjoy the show later. There was also the usual assortment of carnival food, rides, and live music.
The classic band Alabama headlined the show with Jessie Leigh opening and the LB Day amphitheater was full of loyal Alabama band followers who were eager to hear some familiar tunes.
At 10 p.m. the sky lit up with a crowd-pleasing fireworks show. Happy 247th birthday, America.
Rides are the thing at the during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Sometimes rides can be a little scary during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)An employee at the carnival gets a snack during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A family enjoys the carnival during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Enjoying the bumper cars during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A festival goer shows off their patriotic garb during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Jessie Leigh opens up for the band Alabama during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry of the band Alabama play onstage at the LB Day amphitheater during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The crowd enjoying the Alabama show at the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Enthusiastic Alabama fans at the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)An enthusiastic Alabama fan at the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Alabama fans wait for the concert to begin at the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Patriotic headwear during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)American flags lined the Oregon State Fairgrounds during the Fourth of July Spectacular on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Enthusiastic Alabama fans at the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Waiting for the fireworks to begin at the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A family waits for the firework show to begin at the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Chalk was available for kids to draw masterpieces while waiting for the fireworks to begin at the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A row of corn hole boards were set up for kids to enjoy during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A variety of games were available for kids to play before the fireworks began during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
A variety of games were available for kids to play before the fireworks began during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Caramel apples were available for the hungry crowd during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Nothing beats a Dole whip as this happy expression proves at the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A family sets up to enjoy the fireworks during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A family sets up to enjoy the fireworks during the Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Salem’s Fourth of July fireworks displaywas 20 minutes long with variety and color at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Salem’s Fourth of July fireworks displaywas 20 minutes long with variety and color at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Salem’s Fourth of July fireworks displaywas 20 minutes long with variety and color at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on July 4, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
