By ANDREA McCABE/Oregon Coast TODAY
NEWPORT — Food, fun, family, friends, the fair. A staple summer event that carries memories of warm summer days with children licking dripping ice cream off their sticky hands while parents haphazardly apply sunscreen.
Music floats from the main stage across the fairgrounds and wafts of sweet funnel cake rises up from food vendors, luring in hungry and happy fairgoers.
While these fond memories might be a universal experience, the annual Lincoln County Free Fair, held in Newport from Friday, June 30 through Sunday, July 2, offers an adventure only available on the Oregon coast. Celebrate the holiday weekend and enjoy authentic exhibits that highlight distinctive aspects of this coastal community. From camel rides to mouthwatering barbecues there is entertainment for all.
The fair has been an annual celebration for more than 100 years with Oregon State University Lincoln County Extension taking over management in 2015 in conjunction with the county. This volunteer-run event ties the community together and creates a family-like atmosphere.
“I think it is a great community event and I really encourage local community members to come and check it out,” said fair program coordinator Heather Tower. “We try to highlight some of the great things about our county by bringing in different vendors that are local to us.”
The popular camel rides will be back in town, bouncy houses will be available for sugar-fueled children, and Marine Corps Recruiting will showcase all branches of the military through interactive displays.
Greek food is a new addition to the traditional vendors, as well as a stand specializing in calzones. Vango’s Hawaiian Shave Ice, Oregon Smoke Shack and Lajitana are a few of the other vendors providing fair treats.
Lincoln County’s Thunder and Lightness World Beat Ensemble will kick off a weekend full of music from various local artists at the Main Stage. This multicultural traditional and indigenous band will play from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday. The group, featuring percussionist Chandler Davis on hand-carved African, Latin and Polynesian drums, Osage Terry Filer on the Native American flutes and drum, Sandra Surber on the African ashiko and Middle Eastern doumbek and Skip Floraday on the congas, will entertain crowds with the high-energy music they have been playing at the fair since 2012.
Guests can also enjoy Southern rock and country from The Boondock Boys after watching the rodeo Friday and Saturday night.
Senior Appreciation Day on Friday will include bingo in the main hall, senior specified vendors and a celebratory barbeque at noon.
There will be open class exhibits such as baked goods, agriculture, arts and a Special Contest section. These include Artist’s Interpretation Challenge 2023, King Arthur Flour Cookie Contest and numerous yarn contests.
- The Lincoln County Free Fair, which opens each day at 10 a.m. at the Lincoln County Commons, 633 N.E. Third St., Newport. For more information, go to www.thelincolncountyfair.com.
Friday, June 30
- Camel rides in front of the 4-H Animal Barn.
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Bingo (Main Exhibit Hall)
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Senior Fair (Main Exhibit Hall)
- Noon – Senior BBQ (Main Stage, until food runs out)
- All Day – OMSI Interactive Display (Main Exhibit Hall)
- 5:30 p.m. – NPRA Rodeo
- Music and Entertainment on the Main Stage:
- 10-11:30 a.m. – Bruce Moore
- Noon-1:30 p.m. – Thunder & Lightness
- 2-3 p.m. Rockfish
- 3:30-5 p.m. Six Eyes High
- 5:30-7 p.m. – Buzzkill
- 7:30-9 p.m. – The Boondock Boys
Saturday
- Camel rides in front of the 4-H Animal Barn.
- OMSI Interactive Display (Main Exhibit Hall)
- 2 p.m. – 4-H Market Auction
- 5:30 p.m. – NPRA Rodeo
- Music and Entertainment on the Main Stage:
- Noon-1:30 p.m. – Guilty Tendencies
- 2-3:30 p.m. – Blue Variant
- 5:30-7 p.m. – Against The Raging Tide
- 7:30-9 p.m. – The Boondock Boys
Sunday
- Camel rides in front of the 4-H Animal Barn.
- OMSI Interactive Display (Main Exhibit Hall)
- 10-10:45 a.m. – Jill Ledet
- 11-11:45 a.m. – Bruce Moore
- 1-5 p.m. – La Fiesta Latina
- 2 p.m. – Rotary Seas the Day Dolphin Drop
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I have never heard a more touching prayer than the one at the rodeo on Saturday evening. I doubt there was a dry eye in the entire audience. It touched every heart and soul in so many ways. I just wanted her to know that we all listened to her every word.