As the mercury edged into the triple digits, a wildland fire threatened homes nearby, and flash rainstorm doused crowds, the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo continued to draw attendees who rode rides, checked out the animals and took in the concerts.

Each year the county fair leans on more than 1,000 people to staff the event, ranging from vendors to carnival and admissions staff and entertainers. Plenty of volunteers pitch in as well.

It’s an economic boon for the community at large, as 1 in 5 people coming to attend the fair travel more than 50 miles to get there, said Geoff Hinds, Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center director.

In 2023 the five-day event drew 170,000 people to the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond. In 2019, the fair drew 135,800 people, according to historic fair data. The fair also produced $2.3 million in revenues in 2023. Final attendance figures were not available yet for 2024.

“We have preliminary data that shows this to be a very successful fair, with increases over the 2023 fair and rodeo,” Hinds said. “We believe the hot weather, as well as the Milemarker 132 Fire both may have had some impact on total attendance, but by the close of the fair on Sunday we were in a good position.”

To combat the high temperatures, organizers added 1,000-feet of misters, had water bottle refill stations and fans located throughout the grounds and additional shaded seating. Those were tweaks that the fair organizers had to make on the spot, once the weather forecast became clear

But the fair board works to add something new to the fair each year so people come back, Hinds said.

County fair

County fair

Rodeo thrills, live music and high-flying drones await at the 2024 Deschutes County fair

“We’ve seen growth year over year for the past 20 years,” said Hinds.

There is a trickle down effect from a growing fair crowd as visitors explore other areas, said Beau Eastes, Old Mill District marketing director. A visitor who comes to the Hayden Homes Amphitheater might also visit Bend Brewing Co. or hike Smith Rock.

“More visitors to the Deschutes County Fair is a win for Central Oregon and Bend, which means it’s a win for us down here in the Old Mill District,” Eastes said. “A lot of them are spending a portion of their trip in Bend, shopping and dining in the Old Mill.”

Fair favorites

Traditions abound at the fair with food and rides and events like the Sea Lion Splash Show. There are selfie stations and rodeo championships. Drone shows and music concerts entertained evening crowds.

“This event brings fun and entertainment to the area every year, and it’s an event that locals and visitors can all enjoy,” said Katie Johnson, Visit Central Oregon senior marketing manager.

Fairs like Deschutes County’s can bring communities together, Hinds said.

They show off local livestock and agricultural programs and provide new experiences for people, Hinds said.

“We try to make sure we offer the traditional favorites,” he said. “We also work with other fairs to make sure the vendors are able to support us. We always try to find something new. Mix the traditional and historical with something new and exciting.”

This year’s new addition was the Demolition Derby on Aug. 3. The fair had previously held a derby put on by the Bend Sunrise Lions Club, but the pandemic ended that.

New food was added this year too, Hinds said. The fair added Boba tea and seafood stands to the more traditional corn on the cob and funnel cakes, he said.

“We also try to change up the entertainment,” Hinds said. “We constantly make sure that we are evolving and changing.”