Country music star Granger Smith played at the 2023 Jackson County Fair. 

For more than 150 years, the Jackson County Fair has been a large-scale coming-together of the community, bringing folks from all walks of life to Central Point for nearly a week of fun activities.

From live concerts featuring Clay Walker, Josh Turner, 38 Special and Queen Nation, to prize-winning livestock and animals, the fair will have plenty to explore and be entertained by.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Rob Holmbeck, general manager of the Jackson County Expo.

The fair will run 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, July 16-18; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, July 19-20; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 21.

One-day tickets cost $12 per person for ages 13 and older, while six-day admission passes cost $35; kids 12 and younger get in free. Sunday admission is free for everybody. Reserved seating concert tickets cost between $12 and $60 per person depending on seating and the artist. Lawn seating for all concerts will be free with your paid fair admission.

For $90, you can purchase a Golden Wristband for unlimited carnival rides for all 5 days, or $35 in advance or $45 at the gate for a ride wristband for the day.

To purchase advance admission and concert tickets, visit tickets.attheexpo.com/tickets.

“We have four great concerts in the (Bi-Mart) Amphitheater this year that are selling really well,” Holmbeck said. “We try to cater to what the people want, and over the years this is what we figured, it’s classic rock and country.”

Josh Turner and Clay Walker will each bring their melodic twang to Southern Oregon audiences, while 38 Special will play an assortment of their own rock hits, and Queen Nation will play the big hits of the iconic English rock band Queen.

And, of course, a fair isn’t a fair without carnival rides and plenty of food, including corn dogs, curly fries, barbecue, burgers and sweets.

“We have the fair food covered — and remember: Calories don’t count during the fair, so come out and eat what you want,” Holmbeck quipped.

There will be 13 food vendors of different styles, he added.

Rides range from “The Freakout” — a pendulum ride for thrill-seekers — to more mellow ones such as a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round and bumper cars.

“The carnival is in the main parking lot right out front and center in front of everything … As you enter the fair through one of main entrances, you’ll hear kids screaming on the carnival rides,” Holmbeck said.

Included in the entertainment will be exhibits such as Brad’s World Reptiles.

“He brings all kinds of fun animals, some you can touch and feel,” Holmbeck said.

New this year is the Bingo Games in the Mace Building at The Expo.

“People will be donating prizes, gift cards and swag bags for bingo winners,” Holmbeck said.

Beyond the entertainment and food-filled side of the fair, there are educational opportunities and showcases for local youth involved in 4-H and Future Farmers of America.

“Every year we have hundreds of animals shown by 4-H youth and FFA youth,” said Sky Loos, Jackson County 4-H coordinator. “These kids are working on their projects, which include swine, beef, poultry, horse and dog shows as well.”

“This is a great community effort with adults helping kids and businesses purchasing animals from kids,” Loos added.

Similar to running a small business, the kids involved in the 4-H and FFA programs raise livestock and learn the ins and outs of caring for animals while picking up on the business side of the industry.

“There’s a really big beef presence with cattle, a ton of different varieties of pigs and poultry. Horses and dogs make up the summer animals,” Loos said of the animals being showcased and potentially sold, adding that “in the spring fair, we have goats and sheep and rabbits.”

4-H also offers programs to appeal to the hobbies and interests of most kids such as a shooting club, culinary programs and other activities.

“That’s sort of the beauty of 4-H: There’s something for everybody,” Loos said.

For those interested in joining 4-H or volunteering to help, visit extension.oregonstate.edu/4h/jackson.

“Registration begins in the fall; it starts in September or October, and we’re always looking for more volunteers, as well and more adults to help out,” Loos said.

For more information on the fair, visit attheexpo.com/fair.