From the Predictable to the Bizarre

Competition adds spice to life, which has made the State Fair a very spicy place! The first few fairs provided awards for such things as target shooting, salt rising, hop yeast, soda biscuits, ox yoke, axle grease, horse shoeing, butter and ice cream churning and currant wine. An early premium list noted awards for the best exhibit of mechanical dentistry, best penmanship, and hat and gown making. Over the decades, the range of competitions and contests grew with the times, often in bizarre and unexpected ways, but always adding to the color and diversity of the State Fair. Here are some of the ways that Oregonians have competed for some amount of fame, if not fortune, at the fair.