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2003 Jackson County Fair coming If your idea of what a fair is like comes from second-hand images, perhaps, the old Pat Boone movie, "State Fair," or "Picnic" this is the year to actually check out what the Rogue Valley has to offer. This year's Jackson County Fair will open Tuesday, July 15 and run through Sunday, July 20. What you can expect is as varied as the society we live in - and that's the goal. "The fair is just a reflection of the community," says Jackson County Fairgrounds Manager Chris Borovansky, "So it covers many parts of our community - the agricultural, cultural, and entertainment aspects." And increasingly, according to Borovansky - technological. While the fair can be counted on to offer plenty in the way of Future Farmers of America and 4-H exhibits, for the past eight years, there has been a big push to showcase the newest in technological innovations. "There's a long tradition for fairs to showcase new products," says Borovansky, "the telegraph, electric lights, the Ferris wheel, even ice cream cones. They were all first seen at fairs." "Eight years ago I arranged a meeting with Amy Sampei at SOU and we started meeting with technical people. That first year we had a tent with no walls, no air-conditioning. We've come a long way since then. We now have a 6,00 square foot structure fully wired and connected to the Internet." The Qwest Technology Pavilion brings fairgoers into the new millennium, showcasing the newest innovations for home, office or pure fun. Produced by Project A, Southern Oregon University and the Jackson County Fair, and underwritten by Qwest, the Pavilion has become an interactive experience for young and old alike. New this year will be hands-on learning opportunities in many areas, especially geared to make things easier for a first-time user. If you want to learn to burn a CD, download music from the web, edit your own videos or create your own web site, you can learn how. Volunteers in the pavilion will guide you through the world of multimedia technology. In a new addition this year you can take advantage of "Date Night At The Fair" to find that special someone? Fairgoers can go to a select website and register their profile and view the profiles of others. On Saturday night at the fair, you can come out to the Pavilion and mingle and meet the man or woman of your dreams. Also new this year will be the Qwest Interactive Gaming Experience where you can come in and try your hand at the latest games and X Box experiences. By entering the gaming tournaments and you might win valuable prizes. Many technology-oriented groups and businesses are involved in the Pavilion, including Internet CDS, Asante, RVTV, Charter Communications and the Southern Oregon Telecommunications and Technology Committee. The eGovernment Experience shows the public how technology is used at the local, state and federal levels, and how information can be gathered from those sources. The City of Ashland, City of Medford, Jackson County, State of Oregon and the federal government all will participate. For many the main attraction of the fair lies in the old fashioned elements of a traditional fair, and the Jackson County Fair has all the of them. At the heart of the fair are the 4-H and FFA exhibits. After working all year on their exhibits, 4-H and FFA members will show their livestock, cooking and sewing, arts, mechanical science and other projects. Showing at the county fair for a blue ribbon, and maybe a chance to go to State Fair, is the high point of the summer for many of the young exhibitors. 4-H and FFA exhibits can be found throughout the grounds or showing in one of the many show ring venues. There are also exhibits by adults and youth, not affiliated with 4-H and FFA. Anyone can also show at the county fair in the many open class competitions. Padgham Pavilion is filled with delectable baked and canned goods, vivid quilts, beautiful photography and art, fragrant floral arrangements and other wonderful exhibits waiting to be discovered by the fair visitor. Compton Arena houses the Buyer's Marketplace. The Marketplace is a blend of tried and true products like the salsa maker, the latest fashions and accessories and informational booths. The Marketplace extends to many fun and colorful outdoor booths lining the thoroughfares of the fair. Family fun highlighted by the Bilmar Puppet Theater and Washboard Willy at this year's Jackson County Fair. The magical wizard "Wiz the Woo" and his rabbit "Buster Bunny" are two of the cast of uniquely-carved wooden puppets handcrafted by European puppet makers. A blend of fast-paced comedy and audience participation to bring the magic alive. The Bilmar Puppet Theater is located in Chaisson Park and will have three shows daily at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Washboard Willy is best described as a "Pied Piper of Rhythm" for children of all ages. A one-man band, Willy's mission is to bring musical "Educainment" to everyone. This is his second appearance at the Jackson County Fair, and as he strolls throughout the grounds children, parents and grandparents can follow behind his small wagon filled with rhythm instruments. Washboards, cans, steel drums, bells, whistles - just about anything - becomes a musical instrument in the hands of Washboard Willy. Washboard Willy can be heard and found strolling through the fair daily. In addition to the entertainment for children there are three stages presenting music throughout the week and a blues festival on Sunday afternoon from noon to closing. Headliner for the show is Little Charlie and the Nightcats. Local blues bands, Chase 'n the Blues and the Gottwood Brothers will also play. Nationally known classic rock and country bands headlining the week include, Kansas ( Friday), Dwight Yoakam (Thursday) and Grand Funk Railroad (Wednesday). For a full schedule of all of the events at the Jackson County Fair, see their website at jcfairgrounds.com. All shows and entertainment is free with gate admission. Adults are $8. Seniors 62 and over and youth ages 7-12 are $5. Children six and under are free. The Jackson County Fair is scheduled for July 15 - 20. Gates open at 11 a.m. each day and close at 11:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The 2003 fair closes at 7 p.m. Sunday. LINKS: REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. DAILY TIDINGS: Main | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -