This article appeared in the May 2016 edition of the Salem Business Journal.
The traditions remain strong, 4-H and FFA – barns full of kids and their farm animals, creations by local youth, carnival rides, the smell of amazing food, and outstanding music and entertainment. That's the Marion County Fair, which will take place July 7-10 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds.
There's a new game in town – maybe not new, but a renewed game to address current trends. Public Competitions which include things like the best jam, best cookie, amazing poetry and art is kicking things up a notch. Formerly known as Open Class, the contests are about to be ramped up.
Enter Bry Taylor-Campos and Heidi DeCoster. Bry is a Key Volunteer for the Marion County Fair and was the sole superintendent in charge of the Open Class area in 2015. Bry recruited Heidi Decoster to oversee Hobbies and she was subsequently appointed to the Marion County Fair Board. Together this duo is taking on Public Competitions (Open Class) and livening things up!
"As a society, we don't all spend time doing the traditional canning and preserving, and activities that were once commonplace in our daily activities. It's time to look at things like Pinterest and embrace some of the new things we do," said Fair Coordinator Jill Ingalls. "I think a contest for the best Pinterest fail could be really fun and we all like to win fun prizes!"
In March, volunteers in charge of each fair department got together to refresh their list of competitions. Of course there are many popular competitions that will be not be lost. However, if nothing had been entered in a class for several years it was removed. New classes were added with many still in the process of building the criteria and details. New energy and new volunteers to help drive this part of the fair were identified. And the very name "Open Class" is seeking a new title – after all most people don't know what it means.
"I think this is going to be the biggest year yet for the fair and for these fun competitions. Helping people to understand that anyone can enter and new classes that include everyone, such as a cell phone picture contest, will definitely increase entries. Going back to Cascade Hall will give us a fresh new look and let these competitions be seen by even more fair-goers," said Bry Taylor-Campos.
"We are working on big things in our hobbies department and focusing a great deal on our Lego class and have added a new section of paper arts. We will have a Lego table this year for kids to create masterpieces for display during the fair," said Heidi DeCoster.
The Marion County Fair Board works hard to keep the fair fresh and new, adding attractions each year, investing in entertainment and constantly looking at how to present the best fair around. For more about the 2016 fair and new public competitions, visit www.mcfair.net or follow us on Facebook.
