Cables were carried, rides bolted, and lemons squeezed on move-in day at the Malheur County Fairgrounds. Just before the start of the week-long fair on Tuesday, Aug. 2, workers, vendors, and contest entrants flocked to the Desert Sage Event Center in Ontario to set the stage on Monday. A last-minute carnival addition brought a slew of classical carnival rides, plus candy-colored food booths promising fresh corn dogs, churros, and more – just one summer day away.
The fair runs through Saturday, Aug. 6.
A truck drives through the Desert Sage Event Center gates to this year’s Malheur County Fairgrounds on Aug. 1, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
Workers carry power cables across the Malheur County Fairgrounds on Aug. 1, 2022, while setting up the space for the start of the fair the next day. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
Amy and Kyle Christ of B’s Lemonade slice and squeeze fresh lemonade in their fruit-shaped booth at the Malheur County Fairgrounds on Aug. 1, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
Workers install power cables, fair rides, and food booths at the Malheur County Fairgrounds on Aug. 1, 2022, in preparation for the start of the fair the next day. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
A family wanders through the newly erected carnival rides after submitting their entries in the barn on Aug. 1, 2022, just before the official start of the Malheur County Fair the next day. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
Gian Longoni enters three red tomatoes in the Home Garden division at the Malheur County Fair on Aug. 1, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
Workers install power cables, fair rides, and food booths at the Malheur County Fairgrounds on Aug. 1, 2022, in preparation for the start of the fair the next day. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
Young fairgoers paint the stand of a scarecrow before the start of the 2022 Malheur County Fair on Aug. 1, just above the handwritten fair’s theme: “Just for the fun of it!” (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
A worker at the Malheur County Fairgrounds carries an armful of power cables out of the truck on Aug. 1, 2022, while setting up for the county fair. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
A newly-set up cotton candy trailer holds a quiet machine, un-propped menu, and loose display of chips in wait for the start of the Malheur County Fair on Aug. 2, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
Young fairgoer Zarielle works behind the scenes at the Malheur County Fairgrounds on Aug. 1, 2022, the day before the official start of the fair. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
Amy and Kyle Christ of B’s Lemonade slice and squeeze fresh lemonade in their fruit-shaped booth at the Malheur County Fair on Aug. 1, 2022. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
Workers prepare the grounds of the Malheur County Fair in Ontario on Aug. 1, 2022, before the official start of the fair the following day. (The Enterprise/CYNTHIA LIU)
News tip? Contact reporter Cynthia Liu at [email protected]
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