PHOTOS: Kids, critters and competitors appear at county fair
The Marion County Fair brought together farm animals, carnival rides amid temperatures that climbed near 100 degrees over four days. The decades-old tradition drew visitors of all ages from Thursday through Sunday, July 10-July 13, who browsed vendor booths, enjoyed live performances and snacked on cotton candy.
Attendance was high for the event, especially as the weekend rolled in, but officials had no final counts as of Monday, July 14. Crowds flocked to the metal bleachers in the sheep ring in the livestock barn to watch kids present their project animals. Lines formed around the corner of the red Oregon Dairy Women barn, customers waiting patiently for a swirl cone.
Young participants showcased their carefully raised livestock at 4-H and Future Farmers of America auctions, while others prepared for various animal-related activities such as llama obstacle courses and sheep costume contests.
The competition also included baking and textile contests, with the marionberry pie contest receiving its highest number of entries ever. Whether participants came to compete or simply enjoy classic summer fun, the fair maintained its enduring appeal and nostalgic charm.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misidentified sheep as goats in multiple photo captions. Salem Reporter apologizes for the error.
Have a news tip? Contact reporter Mirandah Davis-Powell: [email protected] or 541-621-5176. and reporter Hailey Cook: [email protected] or (208) 515-4097.
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Hailey Cook joined Salem Reporter in 2025, following the completion of an internship through the University of Oregon’s Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism. She works as a reporter and photojournalist, with a focus on business and entertainment, among other topics.
Mirandah Davis-Powell was an intern for Salem Reporter in the summer of 2025, primarily covering food, farms and agriculture. She joined the newsroom from the Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism as a reporter from the University of Oregon.
