Douglas County Fair Returns Wednesday With Four Days Of Entertainment And Community Traditions

ROSEBURG, Ore. - The midway will light up, livestock barns will fill with activity and thousands of visitors will return to Roseburg this week as the Douglas County Fair opens Wednesday.

The 2026 fair will run from Wednesday, Aug. 5, through Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 SW Frear St. This year’s theme, “Fair, Fun & Freedom!”, recognizes America’s 250th birthday while continuing the agricultural, entertainment and family traditions that have made the fair one of Douglas County’s largest annual gatherings.

Four Nights Of Headline Entertainment

Bull riding will open the fair’s nightly entertainment schedule at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the grandstands.

The remainder of the week will bring three national recording artists to the fairgrounds amphitheater:

• Thursday, Aug. 6: Aaron Lewis at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 7: Tone Loc at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 8: Niko Moon at 8 p.m.

Headline entertainment is included with regular fair admission. Reserved concert seats and a new standing-room VIP pit area are available for $30, in addition to fair admission.

Entertainment Throughout The Fairgrounds

The nightly shows are only part of the entertainment planned during the four-day event.

DockDogs will bring canine dock-jumping competitions to the fair, while performers scheduled around the grounds include fire dancer Jodie Smalley, Arty the Circus Drummer, Lessa the Hula Hooper, The Bubblesmith and comedy stunt performer Matt Baker.

Visitors will also find Master Gardener exhibits and demonstrations, a model railroad exhibit, bingo, local musicians, a senior talent show, a diaper derby and other performances on the Garden Park Stage. Those attractions are included with fair admission.

Youth And Agriculture Remain At The Center Of The Fair

Although rides and concerts draw large crowds, 4-H and FFA programs remain central to the Douglas County Fair.

Young exhibitors have spent months raising animals and preparing projects for livestock shows, judging events and displays throughout fair week. Competitions involving cattle, swine, sheep, goats, horses, poultry, rabbits and other animals will take place in the fairgrounds’ livestock areas.

The annual Junior Livestock Auction will begin at 4 p.m. Friday in the Beef Ring. Purchases made during the auction support participating youth and their agricultural projects.

Open Class exhibits will also showcase work submitted by Douglas County residents, including photography, fine art, quilts, woodworking, crafts, flowers, baked goods, preserved foods and garden produce.

Douglas County’s fair tradition dates to an agricultural fair held in Oakland in 1860. The current fairgrounds property was purchased in 1944, and the first official fair at the site was held in 1945. Dougy, the logger statue that greets visitors near the main entrance, has served as the fair’s mascot since 1965.

Carnival Rides And Fair Food

Rainier Amusements will operate the carnival midway with rides ranging from the Giant Wheel, Freakout, Kamikaze and Vortex to the Tilt-A-Whirl, carousel, Super Slide, children’s coaster and several smaller rides.

Carnival hours will be:

• Wednesday: Noon to 10 p.m.
• Thursday: Noon to 10 p.m.
• Friday: Noon to 11 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Unlimited ride bracelets, which include two games, are available for $35 through Tuesday, Aug. 4. The price increases to $45 when the fair opens Wednesday. Each bracelet is valid for one day.

Food vendors will offer a mix of traditional fair favorites and other options, including barbecue, fried bread, fried ravioli, Hawaiian teriyaki, Mexican food, Korean corn dogs, churros, kettle corn, shaved ice and Umpqua Dairy products.

Admission And Daily Specials

Regular admission is $10 for adults and teenagers ages 13 and older. Children 12 and younger receive free admission throughout the fair. A four-day pass is available for $40.

Several admission specials are planned:

• Wednesday: Adults 65 and older receive free admission all day.
• Thursday: Members of the armed forces and first responders receive free admission until 5 p.m.
• Friday: Visitors who bring a decorated vegetable to the main gate between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. receive free admission.
• Teenagers can receive $2 off admission with a canned food donation.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the fairgrounds during the event. Additional fees may apply to credit card purchases.

Parking And Free Bus Service

Parking at the fairgrounds costs $10 each time a vehicle enters. Free bus transportation will be available from two Roseburg locations:

• Roseburg High School, 400 W. Harvard Ave., with drop-off at the main gate.
• First Student bus lot, 3663 Old Highway 99 South, with drop-off at the carnival gate.

Buses will run every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and every 15 minutes from 5 to 11 p.m. On Saturday, buses will run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Mobility-impaired visitors can call 541-672-4191 for pickup assistance at either bus location.

Fair Hours

The main gate will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. The carnival gate will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., while exhibit buildings will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The livestock gate opens at 6 a.m.

Hot Weather Expected

Fair week is currently expected to begin with triple-digit temperatures. As of Sunday evening, the forecast called for a high near 103 degrees Wednesday, followed by approximately 100 Thursday, 99 Friday and 91 Saturday.

Visitors should prepare for the heat, remain hydrated and check the latest weather and air-quality conditions before heading to the fairgrounds.

Additional schedules and event information are available through the Douglas County Fair website and the official fair mobile app:

• Apple App Store
• Google Play

Both are the official Douglas County Fair app published by Etix.