Yamhill County readies 171st county fair with new parking, shuttle and family outreach

Gary Wertz, a fairgrounds representative, told the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners on July 24 that the county’s 171st fair will run July 30 through Aug. 2, daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and will include new parking and shuttle arrangements, expanded stage acts and targeted outreach to foster families.

Wertz said organizers secured a private lot for overflow parking, describing “7 acres that we can park a ton of cars,” and a shuttle operated by Yamhill County Transit to move patrons between the lot and the fairgrounds. He said the new entry gate and parking plan aim to reduce congestion on Lafayette Avenue; the county’s public works team reviewed and approved traffic plans that use flaggers and lane changes.

The fair’s entertainment lineup, Wertz said, includes Chase Beckham and a stage act described as “the world’s champion sword swallower” along with smaller “grounds acts” when the main stage is between shows. Traditional fair competitions and youth livestock events will continue, and the fair will host contests such as pie-eating and barbecue competitions. Wertz noted long-term vendor relationships, saying one corn-dog/curly-fry vendor sold about $74,000 of product over four days last year and the fair is aiming for $80,000 this year.

Organizers described new outreach to foster and resource families. Keilani and Shirley Turner from REACH Northwest helped develop a free admission punch-card program for foster children to tour barns and exhibits; children who visit designated areas and collect punches will receive an ice cream cone, organizers said. Wertz thanked 4-H and FFA volunteers and the fair’s ambassador program for their work with visiting families.

Safety and emergency planning were emphasized. Brian Young from emergency management (speaking later in the meeting) and other county partners drafted an incident action plan for the mass gathering; Wertz and county staff credited the sheriff’s office, emergency management, public works and other agencies for planning medical, traffic and security responses. Wertz said the governor included fairs in the Department of Administrative Services budget under House Bill 5006, providing “$30,000 more than above the $53,000 that they that we’ve been getting,” which he said will help fair operations.

Organizers urged attendees to plan for two or more hours to see events and exhibits. Commissioners thanked fair staff and volunteers for planning and noted specific attractions — including the Oregon Dairy Women’s ice cream booth and a new “Machinery Row” of five vendors — as draws for the event.

The fairgrounds staff asked whether commissioners had questions; none were posed that altered the operational plans presented.

The fair begins July 30 and runs through Aug. 2; county emergency and public-safety partners will staff planned response points during the event.