"Neon Nights & Carnival Lights" At The Clatsop County Fair (Photo) - 07/10/26

Carnival returns, ride wristbands on sale, VIP concert tickets available, and fair preparations are in full swing

ASTORIA, OR — The countdown is on for the 2026 Clatsop County Fair, returning July 22– 25 to the Clatsop County Fair & Expo Center with this year's theme, "Neon Nights & Carnival Lights."

This year's fair brings back a longtime favorite with the return of the carnival for the first time since 2021. Rainier Amusements will fill the fairgrounds with classic rides, midway games, and family fun throughout the four-day event.

"We're excited to welcome the carnival back to the Clatsop County Fair," said Kyle Sharpsteen, Manager of the Clatsop County Fair & Expo Center. "The rides and games create another reason for families to come together while also discovering everything else the fair has to offer—from livestock shows and agricultural exhibits to youth competitions, local vendors, great food, and live entertainment."

Whether you're coming for the rides, the music, the animals, or the food, there's something for everyone at this year's fair.

Carnival Returns

For the first time since 2021, carnival rides are returning to the Clatsop County Fair.

Rainier Amusements will bring classic rides, midway games, and favorite fair treats to the fairgrounds throughout all four days. Families can also enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, and the Kids Zone featuring a corn pit, inflatables, bounce houses, and games.

Visitors can save by purchasing unlimited ride wristbands in advance for $35. Wristbands purchased during the fair will cost $45. Fair admission is sold separately.

Fair Concert & Entertainment

The fair concert returns on Friday, July 24, featuring country music artist Kameron Marlowe with special guests The Kruse Brothers. Concert tickets include admission to the fair for the day.

Concert ticket options include:

• General Admission — $30 ($35 beginning July 17)
• Reserved Front-of-Stage Section — $45
• Limited VIP Tickets — $125 (plus fees and taxes)

A limited number of VIP concert tickets remain available to the public while supplies last. Each VIP ticket includes:

• Catered BBQ dinner by Haggy's Live Fire BBQ
• Access to the VIP Bar
• Dedicated VIP entrance
• Exclusive VIP viewing area
• Fair admission on Friday, July 24

Throughout the week, visitors can also enjoy the Extreme Lumberjack Show, strolling entertainment featuring a balloon artist, magician, and ventriloquist, local musicians and performers on the Main Stage.

The always popular Community Talent Show is back. The talent show winner will advance to represent Clatsop County in the Oregon State Fair Talent Search. Following the talent show, stay for free community bingo with prizes.

Celebrating Agriculture and Youth

The fair continues its long tradition of showcasing the accomplishments of local 4-H and FFA members through livestock shows, educational exhibits, demonstrations, and competitions. Visitors can meet youth exhibitors and learn about projects involving livestock, dogs, horses, archery, arts, photography, woodworking, gardening, textiles, and much more.

This year's fair also introduces Everyday Ag, a new educational exhibit highlighting the industries and traditions that have shaped Clatsop County. Interactive displays will explore seafood, timber, cranberries, dairy, cattle, Christmas trees, hatcheries, hazelnuts, holly, mink, and other agricultural industries important to our region.

The County is especially grateful for the partnership of local FFA members and Oregon Women in Timber for helping launch this new program, which is expected to continue growing in future years.

The fair will also host the Clatsop County Junior Livestock Market Auction, Master Gardener demonstration garden, Civil War living history demonstrations, and the Rascal Rodeo, an adaptive rodeo providing individuals with physical and developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience rodeo events.

Competitions & Family Fun

The Clatsop County Fair offers something for every age, including:

• United Way Watermelon Eating Contest
• Flower arranging
• Ice cream eating
• Scarecrow decorating
• Sasquatch calling
• Chili cookoff
• Family calling contest
• Fair photo contest

Additional attractions include the community car show, Airsoft Shoot House, community exhibits, food vendors, retail vendors, artisans, nonprofit booths, and family activities throughout the fairgrounds.

Residents are also encouraged to enter their own projects and compete for ribbons and prizes in a variety of community competitions.

Community Support

The Clatsop County Fair continues to grow thanks to tremendous support from local businesses and organizations.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of community support we've received this year," said Sharpsteen. "That support has allowed us to continue expanding the quality and variety of experiences we can offer while staying true to the fair's agricultural mission."

The Clatsop County Fair is made possible through the support of many generous sponsors. The following highlights a selection of organizations providing significant support for the 2026 Fair:

Grand Champion Sponsors

• WCT Marine and Construction, Inc.
• Columbia Steel and Welding Supply

Additional Featured Sponsors

• TLC, a Division of Fibre Federal Credit Union
• Tillamook County Creamery Association
• Pacific Power
• Clatsop Community College
• Columbia Memorial Hospital
• LINE-X of Clatsop County
• Quackenbush Builders Inc.

The Clatsop County Fair & Expo is grateful for the support of many additional sponsors and community partners whose contributions help make the fair possible. A complete list of 2026 fair sponsors and sponsor recognition is available on our website.

Plan Your Visit

Ride wristbands, fair admission, concert tickets, VIP tickets, vendor applications, and a full schedule of events are available at: www.ClatsopCoFair.com

The 2026 Clatsop County Fair takes place July 22–25 at the Clatsop County Fair & Expo Center in Astoria.

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Members Of The Media Are Invited To Attend A Visit With Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici - 07/07/26

Wednesday, July 8, at the Lewis & Clark Fire Station, Astoria

ASTORIA, OR — Congresswoman Bonamici will join Clatsop County officials and local public safety leaders for a check presentation recognizing federal funding for planned emergency communications infrastructure improvements. These upgrades will support public safety radio communications for law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and other emergency response partners across Clatsop County.

The event will include brief remarks and a check presentation at the Lewis & Clark Fire Station, followed by a visit to a communications tower site on Lewis and Clark Road.

Event Details

What: Check presentation for emergency communications infrastructure improvements

Who: Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Clatsop County officials and local public safety leaders

When: Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Where: Lewis & Clark Fire Station, 34571 US-101 Business, Astoria, OR 97103

Optional site visit: Communications tower site, 92179 Lewis and Clark Road, Astoria, OR 97103

Media attending the tower site visit should plan to drive their own vehicles. The tower site is approximately a three-minute drive from the fire station.

For questions and to RSVP, please contact Jennifer Benoit, Clatsop County Public Affairs Officer, at media@clatsopcounty.gov.

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Clatsop County Board Adopts Strategic Plan Annual Update - 07/01/26

ASTORIA, OR — The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners recently adopted the annual update to the County’s Strategic Plan, highlighting progress made across the organization and identifying Board priorities for fiscal year 2026-27.

Under the Board’s direction, the Strategic Plan guides the County’s work by detailing its mission, vision, guiding values, and key focus areas. The annual update provides a snapshot of progress made since the current Plan’s adoption in 2021 and shows how the Board’s priorities are carried forward through County services, daily operations, major projects and long-term initiatives, and collaboration with community partners.

“This update reflects the collective work happening across Clatsop County,” said Clatsop County Board Chair Mark Kujala. “These are not simple issues, and this level of progress has only been possible through the focused work across County departments, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to serving our communities.”

The FY 2026-27 Annual Update also identifies priorities that will guide the County’s continued work in the year ahead. These priorities help align County services, partnerships, and department efforts with the Board’s goals and support consistent, transparent progress for Clatsop County communities.

Community members are encouraged to review the Annual Update to learn more about the Board’s priorities and the work underway with local partners to address community needs.

The FY 2026-27 Annual Update and more information about Clatsop County’s Strategic Plan are available on the County website.

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Read the FY 26-27 Annual Update

Learn more about Clatsop County’s Strategic Plan

Clatsop County Launches Summer 2026 Parks Photo Contest (Photo) - 06/26/26

Astoria, OR -- Grab your camera or mobile device and show us what you love about Clatsop County parks.

Clatsop County invites residents and visitors to enter the Parks Summer 2026 Photo Contest by submitting photos taken at Clatsop County parks this summer. Whether it’s a sweeping view, quiet trail, wildlife, picnic, water play or a favorite family moment, the County wants to see its parks through the community’s eyes.

To enter, participants should visit a Clatsop County park this summer between June 20 and September 21, take their best photo and submit it through the County’s online form. Photographers may submit up to three photos per person.

Contest categories include:

• Wildlife
• People in Nature
• Landscapes
• Hidden Gems, featuring photos taken in less trafficked parks

The winning photographer will receive a Clatsop County parks annual pass, awarded in October. Submitted photos may also be featured on the Clatsop County website, social media, newsletters, and future parks materials.

Clatsop County parks offer a variety of recreational opportunities, including lake and river access, swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, wildlife observation, and places to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.

For full contest details and rules, visit: http://www.clatsopcounty.gov/1313/Parks-Summer-2026-Photo-Contest

About the Contest

Photos must be original work and must be taken in or depict a Clatsop County park. Minor editing such as cropping, color correction or exposure adjustment is allowed, but materially altered, misleading, AI-generated or composite images may be disqualified. Entries must be appropriate for public display and use by Clatsop County.

Participants are responsible for obtaining permission from any recognizable individuals shown in submitted photos. For recognizable minors, permission must come from a parent or legal guardian.

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