Catch big air at the Oregon State Fair, taking place Aug 23–Sept 2 in Salem.

August is a surprisingly ambitious month in Oregon. Amid the summer heat, fairs and festivals pop up across the state to celebrate elephant garlic, watermelons, and wool. While there are good ways to pass your time in the city—consider the Providence Bridge Pedal on August 11, or the Portland Adult Soapbox Derby on August 17—there's a bounty of fun calling from elsewhere, including ghost-town parades, pigs in Fords (it's a whole thing), bathtub races, and Ludacris at the state fair.

The vibes are strong at Pickathon.

Pickathon

Aug 1–4, Happy Valley  

From humble beginnings in 1999 as a KBOO fundraiser, Pickathon has grown into one of the country's most beloved music festivals. With various stages set in a woodsy backdrop (and plenty of hammocks on which to lounge the day away), headliners this year include wry and virtuosic rock star Courtney Barnett, prolific oddball Bonnie “Prince” Billy, and Durand Jones, a Louisiana-raised artist who blends soul and gospel.

Shaniko: small town, big mood.

Shaniko Days

Aug 2–4, shaniko

The weird little ghost town of Shaniko (population as of 2022: 31) celebrates its history as the onetime wool capital of the world with music, cloggers, a parade, food vendors, arts and crafts, a cake auction, and a beer garden. 

Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament

Aug 8–11, Seaside 

Expect teams from around the world at this 42nd annual tourney on the beach in Seaside in divisions from juniors to adults, novice to pro. Want to play? It's not too late to register, and the event website has a "partner finder" feature.

Elephant Garlic Festival

Aug 9–11, North Plains 

“Fun stinks,” as the saying goes at this annual festival on Portland's northwest outskirts, now in its 26th year. The three-day fest features a variety of food vendors showcasing garlic ice cream, garlic burgers, pickled garlic...you get the picture. In addition to the obvious star of the show, expect a parade, a car show, live music, and vendors.

Tillamook County Fair

Aug 7–10, Tillamook  

Catch dance performances, cattle shows, carnival rides, a Tom Petty tribute band, and a demolition derby at this coastal county fair. At the very least, go for the famous Pig-N-Ford races—people drive Model Ts while holding pigs, or at least try to.

Siletz Bay Music Festival

aug 16–25, Lincoln City

Jazz, chamber music, orchestra, and other sounds from across the world descend on Lincoln City for more than a week of concerts. Shows take place at venues throughout the city, including Chinook Winds Casino and Resort, Lincoln City Cultural Center, and Regatta Park, which hosts a free family concert in its bandshell on August 24. 

Hermiston MelonFest

Aug 17, Hermiston 

Hermiston celebrates its impressive melons—the Eastern Oregon town grows some of the best in the country—with bathtub races, a seed spitting competition, costume contest, giveaways, vendors, and more. 

Summer takes a last swing at the Oregon State Fair.

Oregon State Fair

Aug 23–Sept 2, Salem  

Get your cotton candy and corn dog fix at the annual Oregon State Fair, where you can say farewell to summer with rides, rodeos, magic shows, monster trucks, and an artisans village. The fair's concert series is set to bring some big, familiar names, including Foreigner, the Goo Goo Dolls, and Ludacris.

Hood to Coast

Aug 23 & 24, Mount Hood to Seaside  

This 199-mile team relay race starts 6,000 feet above sea level at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood and ends on the beach at Seaside. The race passes through Portland (the city is an alternate starting point, too) and crosses over the Coast Range through Mist and Jewell. Watch for wildly decorated support vans and sleep-deprived runners. Or get involved yourself by volunteering.

Albany goes big for balloons the fourth weekend of August.

Northwest Art & Air Festival

Aug 23–25, Albany 

Watch hot-air balloons being launched (or better yet, hitch a ride on one yourself) at this family-friendly event at Timber Linn Memorial Park. The fun kicks off with a Friday night glow event as air balloons illuminate the sky, and continues with arts and craft vendors, live music, cornhole, a kids scavenger hunt, an antique car show, and a wine and beer garden.