August
FREE
2013 The
News for the Mid-Willamette Valley
August L o Events C cal alendar Page 2
Balloons Over the Mid-Valley
Photo by Gary Thurman
Up, Up and away over Albany’s Timberlinn Park.
Points
More Fair Fun! BENTON COUNTY FAIR JULY 31 – AUGUST 3
at noon each day. Admission is $8 at the gate with a $5 parking fee. Kids under 12 are free all day on Wednesday, July 31, sponsored by Pioneer Telephone. Thursday, August 1, is American Heroes Day with free admission until 5pm for senior citizens 65 and over, emergency responders, and active military with ID.
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KEZI presents the Benton County Fair and Rodeo celebrating “100 Years of Ribbons, Rides and Rodeos!” Besides the great, “Funtastic Shows” carnival rides, a huge fair food court, displays and exhibits, you will find all kinds of activities to delight every member of the family. Enjoy “Wool Busters mutton Bustin”. Walk on the Wild Side with exotic animals and pony rides, all sponsored by Les Schwab Tires. Other family oriented events include: Dr. Solar’s Sunshine Medicine Show, sponsored by Consumer’s Power, “Puzzlemania” by the Super Science Company, and performances by popular Oregon magician, Hart Keen. Two additional entertainment stages are sponsored by Coastal Farm and Ranch and Alyrica. The Peak Internet Main Stage entertainment is sure to please with Glorianna, sponsored by Linn-Benton Tractor, on Wednesday, July 31, at 8PM. Thompson Square sponsored by Child Fund International and Diamond K, is on Thursday, August 1, at 8PM and Blue Oyster Cult on Friday, August 2, at 8PM. Saturday, August 3, the Main Stage will be busy with performances by The Trail Band at 3PM and Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts, sponsored by Fitzpatrick Painting, with shows at 7 and 9PM. Rodeo lovers can watch the 4D Barrel Race on Wednesday at 5PM and then get into the NPRA Sanction Rodeo on Thursday and Friday at 7PM and Saturday at 2PM. The Friday night rodeo performance has been designated the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” night with donations benefiting the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, “Women’s Cancer Coalition” and The Corvallis Clinic Foundation, “Project H.E.R.” The Benton County Fairgrounds is located at 110 S.W. 53rd Street in Corvallis. The Fair opens
POLK COUNTY FAIR AUGUST 8 – 11
Those heading to the Polk County community of Rickreall, on Highway 99W north of Corvallis, for the annual Polk County Fair will find a great example of old-time fair fun. This year’s theme is “Farm Fresh Family Fun”. The fair opens at 10AM each day. Thursday is Senior Day with entertainment by the Old Time Fiddlers, a Youth Talent Showcase, Billy and the Rockets and the Glen Tadina Swing Street Band. Friday is Senior Grandparent Day with entertainment from the Rockhounds, Cale Moon, an Adult Talent Showcase, Carrie Cunningham and the Twisty and Friends Magic Show. Saturday will bring the Home Depot Family Day to the fair with a list of entertainment and events including: a BMX Freestyle Demonstration, Chris Tardoff and Showdown, a Beautiful Baby contest, a show by France School of Dance, the 4-H Fashion Show and performing Arts and a performance by Cascade Rye. Activities on Sunday include the FFA and 4-H Awards Ceremonies. Carnival lovers can enjoy the Cascade Amusements Carnival all four days. There are exhibits and strolling performers to delight the family throughout the entire fair. Admission is $7 for those 16 and over, $3 for juniors 11 through 15 and seniors 62 and over, children 10 and under are free. Those with active duty military ID are free every day.
By Rod Porsche, Albany Visitors Association The arrival of August means it’s time for the ATI Northwest Art and Air Festival, happening in Albany August 23-25th. It’s three days of art, balloons, great music, unique food vendors, airplane rides, a wine and microbrew garden, a huge car show and an enhanced family zone. And the best news of all? Admission to the Timber Linn Park site, next to the Fair and Expo is free! Once again event organizers have outdone themselves securing big name musical talent. Legendary rock band Foreigner is the headliner. Foreigner enjoyed amazing success in the 70s and 80s with chart topping hits such as “Juke Box Hero”, “Feels Like The First Time”, “Urgent”, Head Games”, “Say You Will“, “Dirty White Boy”, “Long, Long Way From Home”, and the worldwide #1 hit, ”I Want To Know What Love Is.” With ten multi-platinum albums and sixteen Top 30 hits, Foreigner’s total album sales now exceed 75 million. There are changes this year regarding how to acquire your wristband to make sure you can see Foreigner up close and personal. To find out how to gain entry into the concert and for more event details, including parking information and a complete festival schedule, go to the Northwest Art and Air Festival’s official website at www. nwartandair.org or call the Albany Parks and Recreation department at 541-917-7777. Watch over 30 colorful balloons lift off all three mornings at the south end of Timber Linn Park. Get there early though, as they typically take flight between 6:30-7:00 a.m. It’s fascinating to watch the balloon pilots and crew go through the process of filling the balloons and lifting off right before your eyes. Be sure to hit the enhanced Family Zone! Reptile Man will give kids a close up look at lizards, snakes and even a crocodile! Pedal karts, a punching machine, and more have been added this year. Visit the Family Zone each day to see what new things are in store. The Northwest Art and Air Festival is fun for the entire family.