Volunteers ready for 119th Multnomah County Fair this weekend

Although it’s presented differently this year, see what’s in store at this year’s fun three-day event, held again over the Memorial Day weekend …

Over Memorial Day weekend, visitors will again be able to stroll along the “vendors walk”, at the 119th Multnomah County Fair. Archive image

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Folks looking forward to the 119th Multnomah County Fair at historic, nonprofit Oaks Amusement Park on the three-day Memorial Day weekend – May 24 through 26th – will still find plenty of fun family activities, community-based vendors, and colorful cultural presentations. Animals, too.

And all of that in addition to the amusement rides and “fair food” at the Fair, for a full and festive County Fair experience. Since the county itself provides no support for its own fair, it’s presented each year by the volunteers from the nonprofit Friends of the Multnomah County Fair.

At Oaks Amusement Park, while scouting locations for their exhibition at the upcoming Multnomah County Fair, “Big Tsuky” – founder of Portland Lucha Libre – provides an impromptu “wrestling lesson” to Friends of the Multnomah County Fair President Larry Smith.

“Creative Living” exhibits suspended this year
“The major change this year is that, with Oaks Park facilities undergoing an extensive remodel – including to the historic Dance Pavilion – the Friends of the Multnomah County Fair will not be able to present our traditional ‘Creative Living’ department exhibits this year.

These included Art, Crafts, Fiber Arts/Needlecraft, Foods, Floral/Garden, and Photography,” the nonprofit’s President Larry Smith announced.

“But, we are still planning to display Youth Creative Living arts and crafts exhibits in ‘The Oaks Gift Store’ space,” Smith told East Portland News.

All three days of the Fair, enjoy a wide variety of popular and cultural entertainment. Archive image

Oaks Park Association Marketing & Events Director Emily MacKay added, “At the Gift Store, this temporary exhibit space will actually be more integrated into the Oaks Park experience – because it’s located on our Midway, near some of premium amusement rides.”

The Oaks Dance Pavilion began undergoing major renovations this spring – for the first time in decades – to improve the functionality, structural stability, and accessibility of the building.

Visitors to the Fair will recognize the familiar Multnomah County Fair outdoor layout at Oaks Park, with vendors, food booths, and entertainment in the outdoor pavilion, all in their usual locations.

An attraction that drew hundreds of spectators last year, Lucha Libre – Mexican-style professional wrestling – will be back this year. Archive image

“Fair visitors will find a wide spectrum of entertainment offerings, showcasing the cultural diversity of our area,” Smith pointed out. “Returning this year is ‘La Familia Day’ on Sunday, May 25, featuring Latin flavor performing groups, and a hip-hop dance-off!”

As always, Oaks Park gate admission to the Multnomah County Fair is free.

Check this website for the Fair’s daily schedule of entertainment and activities: CLICK HERE.

We’ll see you at the 119th presentation of the Multnomah County Fair, May 24 through Memorial Day, May 26, at The Oaks Amusement Park, just north up Oaks Park Way from the foot of S.E. Spokane Street at the railroad tracks in Sellwood, alongside the Willamette River.

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