Many of the entertainment acts that came to the State Fair had their roots in vaudeville, which was especially popular in America from the 1880s to the 1930s. Vaudeville acts often featured slapstick comedians, dancers, magicians, acrobats, singers and more in a fast paced riot of entertainment. While vaudeville faded as a separate phenomenon, its influence persisted into the 1970s with popular television variety shows such as the Ed Sullivan Show.  And the zany vaudeville style fit in nicely with the culture of the State Fair as well, which already had carnival barkers and bizarre sideshows.

The Three Stooges, a vaudeville, movie and television team active from 1922 to 1970, had open dates in 1948 and hoped to make a stop at the State Fair. Shown above from left are Larry Fine, Shemp Howard and Moe Howard. View their agent's  letter to the State Fair announcing availability.

A dog balances on a rope during a performance at the 1957 State Fair. Other dogs sit at attention waiting for their routines.  (Oregon State Archives, Oregon Fair Exposition Center)