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CHECK OUT: The Oregon State Fair, abstract watercolor paintings or a roller derby bout

Carnival rides! Rodeos! Demolition derbies! Visitors to the Oregon State Fairgrounds will find all that and more. The Oregon State Fair kicks off this Friday and runs until Labor Day. Every day provides something new for visitors, below is a list of highlights this weekend.

Friday at the fair

Country music artist Dustin Lynch performs at the LB Day Amphitheater at 7 p.m. Concert tickets cost $40 to $75.

Milk chugging and milk mustache contest at 2 p.m. Those wishing to participate can sign up from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Columbia Hall Information Desk.

Hot wing eating contest at 5 p.m. Contestants will compete to progress through a series of 10 hot wings that increase in heat intensity. Online registration closes on Aug. 22, after that entrants need to contact [email protected] to check on space availability.

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Saturday at the fair

Fair spokesman Dan Cox said this year the fair will have two rodeos, a feature that hasn’t been at the fair for a while.

On Saturday the Belt Buckle Battle starts at 2 p.m. in the Pavillion. Four teams will compete in bareback riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc and bull riding. During the show there will be an indoor pyrotechnics show.

There’s a pie eating contest at 6 p.m. Contestants can sign up from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Columbia Hall Information Desk.

At night, rock band 3 Doors Down performs at the LB Day Amphitheater at 7 p.m. Concert tickets cost $40 to $75.

Saturday outside the fair

A decade after its first bout, called “A Fair Fight,” Cherry City Roller Derby is will put on “Another Fair Fight,” a themed bout featuring skaters from all the league’s teams. The brawl starts at 4 p.m. at 1335 Madison Street N.E. Tickets cost $5 in advance and can be purchased online or at Santiam Brewing.

Carol Hausser’s watercolor exhibit opens Saturday. (courtesy/Hallie Ford Museum of Art)

For a chance to look at large-scale, abstract watercolor paintings, head to the Hallie Ford Museum of Art this weekend. Salem watercolor painter Carol Hausser’s “Custom Made Imperatives” exhibit, which features a range of her work from the last 35 years, opens on Saturday. Instead of landscapes or portraits, Hausser creates watercolor paintings that pertain to philosophical and psychological concerns.

The exhibit runs until Dec. 1. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $6, seniors cost $4 and educators and college students cost $3. 700 State St. 503-370-6855

More info about Hausser can be found on the Willamette University website.

READ: Salem comedy fan is bringing the jokes closer to home

A Salem comedy fan is bringing local comics to his backyard. Literally.

On Saturday, 10 comedians will perform a backyard comedy show at 2680 Englewood Ave. N.E. The backyard gate opens at 6 p.m. and the show starts an hour later. Tickets cost $7 and can be purchased online.

Sunday at the fair

Sunday is Dia de la Familia and includes mariachi, an Aztec dance troupe, and more.

At 2 p.m. the Jaripeo Espectacular, a rodeo that showcases cowboys that hang on until they are thrown or the bull decides to take a break, starts.

A hazelnut contest begins at 12 p.m. Contestants will offer their best recipes featuring the nut, also called a filbert. Online registration closes on Aug. 22, after that entrants need to contact [email protected] to check on space availability.

Have a tip? Contact reporter Saphara Harrell at 503-549-6250 or [email protected].