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The fair opens with a flair By Kevin Opsahl Updated: Jul 13, 2022 07:08 PM A A 4 View all photos The Jackson County Fair opened Wednesday with all the favorites — food, rides, crafts, livestock and music Lily Leonardo, 12, and Peyton Tankersley, 8, of Eagle Point spin around on the Sizzler ride at the Jackson County Fair Wednesday. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] Leona Goodin, 15, and Caitlyn Avwood, 12, enjoy the Kite Flyer ride at the Jackson County Fair Wednesday. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] Heather Ewart, attending her first Jackson County Fair, savors a “Tiger’s Blood” shaved ice Wednesday as her family enjoys a ride. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] The fair includes the Farm Life Petting Zoo. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] The motorized hum of amusement rides outside of The Expo on a hot, sticky Wednesday afternoon was one clear indicator that fun was about to begin at the Jackson County Fair. It wasn’t long after the opening bell at 2 p.m. that those rides — including the Gravitron, the Freak Out and the Super Slide — were filled with people, and more waiting to get on. “At first, I’m like, ‘Oh, this is not going to be high,’ and then it’s really high and, I’m like, ‘Oh, this is fun!’” said Leona Goodin, 15, who went with her friend, Caitlyn Avwood, 12, on the Kite Flyer. The young women in unison answered “yes” when asked whether they’d been to the fair before. “Sometimes they have new rides, and each year you don’t get to try out all the rides,” Avwood said. “There’s just a lot of fun.” Taking refuge in the shade under a stand that sold fried Oreos and Twinkies, Jackson County Expo Director Helen Baker noted how temperatures had trended down from triple-digit scorchers earlier in the week, and officials hoped that would continue until closing night Sunday. “That’s the best part,” Baker said of the cooling trend. She made the observation that while some families showed up to the fair’s opening in the afternoon, many more would descend on the grounds after 5 p.m. “Those that are out here right now, these are the die-hards,” she said. “These are the ones that are probably getting their carnival wristbands for the week that tend to spend days and days here.” “Those are called the ‘golden ticket,’” Baker said. “You can’t buy those here, on grounds; you can only buy those presale.” The fair includes 31 rides, 18 food vendors and 45 others offering a range of goods. Those numbers match the 2019 fair, something Baker said was very exciting. “I think by now most people know how to take care of themselves,” she said. “If they’re afraid of the virus, they should wash their hands, wear a mask or stay home. If people come to the fair and get sick, I’m sorry; but I don’t know if you can blame it on the fair any more than you can on the grocery store this morning.” A highlight of the 2022 Jackson County Fair is the lineup of musical talent. Rapper Nelly was scheduled to hit the stage Wednesday night. Other acts include Chris Lane Thursday, Sawyer Brown Friday, and Hotel California ‘A Salute to the Eagles’ Saturday. Acts playing on the Center Stage include Rogue Rage Duo, Not Too Shabby and DJ Gemineye Wednesday. Thursday will see Robbie Dacosta, Highway Bound and Nate Botsford. Friday will feature the Old Time Fiddlers, Nick and Shea and Border Patrol. Saturday brings the Brothers Reed, Frankie Hernandez and 221 Fly. Comedy and stunt performer Matt Baker performs at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. through Saturday, at 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday. Baker was quick to remind people the Jackson County Fair has a rich history. “These are Southern Oregonians coming together, in the time of summer, to make memories with their families,” she said. Cheryl Anderson, a longtime Medford resident, has memories of this fair going back decades. “Back then, the Octopus was the scary one,” she said, before pointing to the ride known as The Freak Out. “Now, look at this thing here, today. It’s really freaking out!” A relative, Kylie Anderson, said the fair has been a family tradition. This year, her 10-year-old, Josslyn, is showing off two pieces of artwork and a homemade cake. “I think I’m going to win at least third place,” she said. Baker said the fair is “ingrained in us as a place to celebrate” everything from agriculture to entertainment. For Rogue Valley resident Heather Ewart, her first Jackson County Fair involved spoonfuls of shaved ice. The flavor was called “Tiger’s Blood.” “It’s red, and it’s delicious,” Ewart said with a laugh. Life as a military spouse has been part of the reason Ewart has gone more than a decade without attending the fair, but 2022 is the year she is breaking that streak. It involved plenty of food and rides, such as the Zender. During those moments when the ride produced a zero-gravity feeling, Ewart wondered whether she’d fall. “But it was fun,” she said. “My stomach was in my throat.” For more information about the fair, see the schedule in Monday’s Mail Tribune , and log on to https://attheexpo.com/fair/ . Hours of operation are 2-11 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission costs $12 for adults and $6 for seniors ages 62-74. People 75 and older and children younger than 12 get in free, and Sunday is free for everybody. Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.