The countdown is over, and the gates are swinging wide open as the Josephine County Fair returns this Wednesday, July 30, with the high-energy theme “Buckle Up!” This annual community tradition promises five full days of food, fun, livestock, music, and classic fair memories — all kicking off with a jam-packed opening day and, best of all, free admission for everyone.
From 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, the fairgrounds will be buzzing with excitement as families from all over Southern Oregon pour in to experience what’s shaping up to be one of the liveliest fairs in recent memory. A complimentary shuttle service from Rogue Community College makes it even easier for folks to get there without the parking hassle.
Once inside, there’s no shortage of things to do and see. Exhibit halls open at 11:00 AM, where local crafts, agriculture, and community projects are on full display. Nearby, the Selfie Fair in the Photography Department offers a colorful spot for visitors to snap creative photos, perfect for sharing a bit of fair fun online. Kids and teens will be drawn to the ever-popular Rockin’ Rentals, open all day with bounce houses and GellyBall action that lasts well into the evening.
At 2:00 PM, the Kidz Zone opens with shaded activities for younger children, while the carnival midway roars to life with spinning rides, games of chance, and plenty of funnel cake. Inside the Bingo Hall, Fair Bingo gets underway at 4:00 PM, and just outside, the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show delivers two action-packed performances at 4:00 and 6:00 PM.
As the sun begins to set, the fair shifts into high gear. At 7:00 PM, the Challenge of Champions bull riding competition takes center stage in the indoor arena, bringing the grit and thrill of rodeo action to town. Not far away, live music starts at 5:00 PM in the beer garden with local favorite Mike Brons. That energy carries over to the Pavilion Stage, where Jim Lesher & Pure Country take the mic at 6:30 PM, setting the stage for headliner Gretchen Owens at 8:00 PM.
For those drawn to the agricultural heart of the fair, the barns open early. Livestock events begin at 9:00 AM with market goat and swine shows, followed later by goat family foods and sheep breeding classes. At 4:00 PM, swine showmanship takes the ring, followed by youth and open-class goat and sheep breeding at 5:00 PM. As each show wraps up, the next one kicks off — a seamless rotation of hard-working 4-H and FFA youth showing their pride and projects.
Thanks to the support of local sponsors like Grange Co-op, Evergreen Federal Bank, AllCare Health, Pacific Power, and First Community Credit Union, the fair continues to be accessible and family-friendly. With something for everyone, organizers are calling on the community to come out, buckle up, and enjoy every ride, concert, corndog, and competition the fair has to offer. The 2025 Josephine County Fair is officially underway — and it’s not slowing down any time soon.