Tribes gathering for Oregon Country Fair

By nakedjen

Every year on the second weekend in July, the fair-minded hippies of yesterday, today and tomorrow come together slightly west of Eugene OR on the Long Tom River in Veneta for a very special gathering of the musical, magical, mystical and artistic tribes.

This isn’t just any fair, nor is it just any festival. This is, as the Oregon Country Fair describes itself in its own newsletter, the Peach Pit, “a fertile ground in which to incubate an exploration of this cultural shift, of what it means to cultivate a life of the imagination, to be cultural creatives, Merry Pranksters, holy fools in all we do.”

The Oregon Country Fair’s roots began thirty-eight years ago as a benefit for an alternative school, but it has been carefully tended and cultivated to its present day incarnation as a sacred place to “create events and experiences that nourish the spirit, explore living artfully and authentically on earth, and transform culture in magical, joyous and healthy ways.”

I have been attending the Oregon Country Fair faithfully for nearly 20 years. It’s hard, truthfully, to single out my favorite thing about the fair because there’s so much about it that is special. Likewise, it is also hard to faithfully describe it. You kind of have to go and experience it for yourself to really “get it."

Discovering new music, though, is always a joy for me and I can always count on finding some musician whom I never would have heard while I’m wandering the paths. Music at the fair is EVERYWHERE. You’ll find it scattered at over the paths, on stages, in vendor’s booths, in front of the booths, while you’re eating your meal, taking a sauna. Everywhere you turn, there are songs filling the air.

This year’s fair features nine musical stages (not including those that are for spoken word artists and vaudeville acts!) that will play host to a whole variety of musicians and bands, ranging from Disco Organica to Wendy Rule to Land of the Blind. The Main Stage, located at the “central area” of the fair, offers a grand performance venue and all electric sets for such great acts this year as The Yard Dogs Road Show (who just did 10 shows at Bonnaroo), Green Lemon, and perennial OCF favorite, Scott Huckabay.

Did I mention that there’s an entire stage dedicated to gypsy music and dancing? Or that there’s the Shady Grove stage that is small and intimate and hosts acoustic solo artists and small acts? I’ve often just planted myself under a tree at Shady Grove and let the music surprise me!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention the crafts, especially since the criteria for selection is so strict and everything must be quality and handmade! Oh, and the food. Bring an empty stomach if you come. The food at the Oregon Country Fair is by far some of the best food at any festival anywhere on the planet. There are more than 60 food booths offering delicious meals of every variety all day long. Trust me on this piece of advice: Get a TofuTia at the Tofu Palace. And save room for some Rising Moon Ravioli at some point during your visit.

The amazing, shiny, happy people that put this fair together each year, that show up to participate, that come from around the world, truly do create a magical gathering. If you come, you’ll get to skip around the paths with others who may be painted, may be naked, but will definitely be smiling and full of spirit and sparkles!

This is my tribe, my community. And I have yet to find it replicated anywhere else. If you decide to come, be prepared to meet incredible people and please know that you will only meet the exact ones that you’re supposed to meet, because one of the most magical blessings about the Oregon Country Fair is that there is only ever enough time each year to meet those who will make the most important difference for you.

The Oregon Country Fair offers fun and fantasy and magic around every turn of the path. What that will be exactly is all up to you.


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If you go:

Tickets for the 2007 Fair are on sale through TicketsWest, either online or at physical outlets. No tickets are sold at the Fair site at any time.

Tickets purchased in advance cost $16 for Friday, $21 for Saturday, $16 for Sunday. Tickets sold the days of the event will cost $21 for Friday, $26 for Saturday and $21 for Sunday. 3-day tickets cost $42 each. These prices include all TicketsWest per-ticket service fees. There is an additional order fee for Internet and phone orders.

Children 10 and under are admitted free with a paying adult and there is a discount for daily tickets folks who are alter-abled or age 60 and over.

Visit the OCF website for more information about the fair and this year’s full entertainment schedules.