Pigs, pickles and pies among exhibits at Deschutes County Fair

Published 1:00 am Sunday, July 30, 2023

Excitement brews as the highly anticipated 2023 Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo once again offers a timeless classic: exhibits. 

From florals and goats to baked goods and handcrafted ceramics, associate director at the fair Karen McBride encourages attendees to stop by and explore the exhibits. But more importantly, McBride said exhibits offer an opportunity to learn something new at the fair. 

“There’s always something for everybody,” McBride said. “For our open class exhibits we get people who are learning how to weave, how to paint. We have demonstrators coming in. There is always something to learn, a new flower, a new technique.”

This year’s theme “Pigs, Pickles and Pies” was chosen not only for its alliteration, but because it’s a testament to the various things found at the fair.

“We have canning, baking and a whole bunch of pigs coming,” McBride said. “It was kind of catchy, everybody loved it.”

McBride anticipates between 1,500 and 2,000 open class exhibits this year.

“Just come visit us, just come in and ask a hundred questions,” McBride encourages. 

The open class exhibits are located at the South Sister Conference Center,  open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Animal barns are open to the public Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m. and Sunday until 5 p.m.

These aren’t the only traditions to return to the fair in 2023.

The Buckaroo Breakfast is back. On Sunday, Aug. 6 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., attendees can stack their plates full of bacon, sausage, pancakes, eggs, hash browns and pan bread. Coffee, juice and milk will also be served.

Cost for the breakfast is $10 for adults. Children 5 and younger eat free.