Carnival rides and the midway are traditional parts of the Oregon State Fair, which was canceled for 2020 because of the coronavirus.

If you can’t get enough homegrown fun and nostalgia or you’ve just got a craving for corn dogs and cotton candy, the 2015 Oregon State Fair will run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 7 in Salem.

The fair celebrates its 150th anniversary this year with a host of new events and activities alongside the traditional favorites.

Some of the new attractions at the 2015 fair include the “Discover the Dinosaurs” exhibit, featuring life-size animatronic re-creations of prehistoric creatures with special lighting, sound and visual effects. The revamped lifestyle competitions and exhibits feature art, photography, cooking, floral, textiles, gardening and more. A host of other new activities is planned, including a robotics competition and a tailgate cookoff — just in time for football season. The fair will culminate each night with a fireworks display at 9:50 p.m.

Headline acts performing this year include Everclear, Gary Allan, Becky G. Gabriel Iglesias, Vince Gill, Casting Crowns, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Jerrod Niemann, Eric Burdon and the Animals, and Dan+Shay with Kelsea Ballerini. General admission to all these concerts is included with fair admission, or premium reserved seating is available with the purchase of a VIP ticket.

The traditional poultry, small animal and livestock competitions and exhibits will be prominently featured, along with a wide range of horse shows, including an appearance by the Blackpearl Friesian Dance Troupe on Sept. 5, performing choreographed dances and dressage to music.

A note to dog lovers: The Oregon State Fair is one of the few public events that welcomes dogs (except in the livestock areas and the L.B. Day Amphitheater). The Dog Town section also features demonstrations and competitions for sporting and working dogs, the X-Treme Air Dogs Dock Diving World Championships, training and educational demonstrations and more.

The 2015 Oregon State Fair is Aug. 28-Sept. 7 at the State Fairgrounds in Salem. Gates open 10 a.m. daily. Admission at the gate has been reduced from $11 last year, to $8 this year for adults or $6 for children under 12 and seniors (62 and older). Opening day only, tickets at the gate for all ages will cost $1.50 until 5 p.m. Advance tickets are available until Aug. 27 from all Oregon Safeway and Albertsons stores for $5. Thrill seekers can also pre-purchase a wristband from the fair’s website through Aug. 27 for unlimited carnival rides for $35 (a $15 discount).

For more information (including a detailed schedule of events) go to www.oregonstatefair.org.

— Reporter: 541-383-0350, khimstreet@bendbulletin.com