Umatilla County Fair kicks off with parade

Published 10:20 pm Sunday, August 4, 2013

<p>Oregon State Ambassador Sevana Patrick, from Hermiston, waves to the crowd Saturday at the Umatilla County Fair Parade. Patrick was given the title by the Oregon National Teenager Scholarship Organization.</p>

Saturdays parade was the unofficial start for the 2013 Umatilla County Fair, and the grounds open Tuesday for the county-wide showcase.

The fair, located on Orchard Avenue adjacent to Hermiston High School, starts at 8 a.m. with the 4-H/FFA livestock judging contest. Gates open to the public at 9 a.m.

Fairgoers have options throughout the day, as shows and events last until after 10:15 p.m.

Tuesday will be highlighted by the first musical performance of the fair. Country singer Lee Brice will perform at 9 p.m. on the Wildhorse main stage. Brice began his career as a musician in 2007, and has had four singles reach the top six on Billboards U.S. Country charts, including A Woman Like You, which topped the list and was No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Other notable Tuesday events and performances:

Noon FFA tractor driving contest in the rodeo grounds parking lot

1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Lets Pretend farm time tour (Lets Pretend also has Sudsys Barn, an interactive hand-washing station)

2 p.m. Carnival opens

4, 6 and 8 p.m. Fair introduces its own mutton bustin, which is for all kids as long as they weight less than 55 pounds

6 and 8 p.m. Tammy Barton, the hypnotist extraordinaire

10:15 p.m. 2 Faced Johnny plays at the watering hole beverage tent

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