For the past two years Matthews company picnic has been held at the Oregon State Fair in Salem. We didn't get to go last year, I think because it was raining and one of us was sick. We didn't make it to our county fair that year either, so we were definitely overdue this year for some farm animals, greasy food and overpriced rides!
We got to the fair right when it opened, and headed to our first stop which was a surprise for the kids - a huge exhibit full of animatronic dinosaurs! Rowan was so excited she could barely contain herself:
Most of the dinosaurs were life size and made all sorts of dinosaur type roars and shrieks. It was really dark and the dino's were everywhere you looked. We stopped and read some of the signs, but mostly just walked around the place in awe.
Finally at the end were the dinosaurs that Rowan had been waiting for - the Tyrannosaurus Rex! These guys were locked in battle over a bleeding and partially eaten (but still moving!) Triceratops.
To give you an idea of the size, Matthew and Killian in front of the T-Rex:
Big, but not as big as this guy that went almost up to the ceiling:
At the end, there was a roped off area where kids could drive one of the dinosaurs around and around in big circles...Rowan couldnt pass up an opportunity like that!
By the time we finished with the dino's it was almost time for the company picnic, so we headed over to that area of the fairgrounds. We were a little early so we were standing around with nothing to do when Killian spotted a mechanical bull set up just a few feet away. He surprised me, and hoped right up for a turn! He ended up getting three tries, partly because there wasn't anyone else in line, and partly because he didn't last all that long up there. He may not have a future in bull riding, but I was so proud of him for getting up there and giving it a shot!
This was at the tail end of one of this rides:
We joined up with some of our friends who also work for the same company, ate lunch with them, and then we all headed over to watch a little bit of the Stihl Timbersport Lumberjack competitions. Its pretty amazing what those guys can do with a chainsaw and an ax! When the action there slowed, we parted ways and Matthew, the kids and I headed over to the petting zoo. We made the mistake of buying ice cream cones filled with treats for the critters. We were totally mobbed the second we walked in, and the treats were gone before we knew what hit us! We quickly made our way to the back of the tent, where we found these sweet little ducks trying to hide out. I have never seen such tame ducks, the kids loved them and sat there stroking them for quite a while:
Then a baby deer happened along, and we ditched the ducks to 'fawn' (haha) over it:
So cute! Next up were the carnival rides! As part of the company picnic, we had each received a card with 14 tickets on it - enough for the kids to have a 4 or 5 rides each, and for all of us to go on the Ferris Wheel together. Killian was so sweet, and made sure to choose rides that Rowan could go on with him instead of going on the big kid rides by himself. He is such a great brother!
On the Ferris Wheel with my silly girl, and handsome boys:
Next up were the animals, one of my favorite parts of going to the fair! We saw lots and lots of sheep, many of them all dressed up in their finest jackets so they would stay clean for showing:
I loved that this one had what the coat was for written on the side - I am sure a lot of people ask about it! (click to make bigger)
We saw this big beautiful guy, and I fell in love with his sweet disposition and those gorgeous horns!
There were even sheep that still had their tails! Such an unusual sight, but a lovely one. I *think* its because they are hair sheep, but I don't know for sure. They sure were cute though:
After all the sheep and cows started looking the same, we decided it was probably time to head home. We had spent 7 hours walking around and our brains and feet were tired! We even managed to make it out of there without stepping in anything gross, eating too much greasy fair food or spending exorbitant amounts of money. I consider that a success and cant wait to get back there next year!
We got to the fair right when it opened, and headed to our first stop which was a surprise for the kids - a huge exhibit full of animatronic dinosaurs! Rowan was so excited she could barely contain herself:
Most of the dinosaurs were life size and made all sorts of dinosaur type roars and shrieks. It was really dark and the dino's were everywhere you looked. We stopped and read some of the signs, but mostly just walked around the place in awe.
Finally at the end were the dinosaurs that Rowan had been waiting for - the Tyrannosaurus Rex! These guys were locked in battle over a bleeding and partially eaten (but still moving!) Triceratops.
To give you an idea of the size, Matthew and Killian in front of the T-Rex:
Big, but not as big as this guy that went almost up to the ceiling:
At the end, there was a roped off area where kids could drive one of the dinosaurs around and around in big circles...Rowan couldnt pass up an opportunity like that!
By the time we finished with the dino's it was almost time for the company picnic, so we headed over to that area of the fairgrounds. We were a little early so we were standing around with nothing to do when Killian spotted a mechanical bull set up just a few feet away. He surprised me, and hoped right up for a turn! He ended up getting three tries, partly because there wasn't anyone else in line, and partly because he didn't last all that long up there. He may not have a future in bull riding, but I was so proud of him for getting up there and giving it a shot!
This was at the tail end of one of this rides:
We joined up with some of our friends who also work for the same company, ate lunch with them, and then we all headed over to watch a little bit of the Stihl Timbersport Lumberjack competitions. Its pretty amazing what those guys can do with a chainsaw and an ax! When the action there slowed, we parted ways and Matthew, the kids and I headed over to the petting zoo. We made the mistake of buying ice cream cones filled with treats for the critters. We were totally mobbed the second we walked in, and the treats were gone before we knew what hit us! We quickly made our way to the back of the tent, where we found these sweet little ducks trying to hide out. I have never seen such tame ducks, the kids loved them and sat there stroking them for quite a while:
Then a baby deer happened along, and we ditched the ducks to 'fawn' (haha) over it:
So cute! Next up were the carnival rides! As part of the company picnic, we had each received a card with 14 tickets on it - enough for the kids to have a 4 or 5 rides each, and for all of us to go on the Ferris Wheel together. Killian was so sweet, and made sure to choose rides that Rowan could go on with him instead of going on the big kid rides by himself. He is such a great brother!
On the Ferris Wheel with my silly girl, and handsome boys:
Next up were the animals, one of my favorite parts of going to the fair! We saw lots and lots of sheep, many of them all dressed up in their finest jackets so they would stay clean for showing:
I loved that this one had what the coat was for written on the side - I am sure a lot of people ask about it! (click to make bigger)
We saw this big beautiful guy, and I fell in love with his sweet disposition and those gorgeous horns!
There were even sheep that still had their tails! Such an unusual sight, but a lovely one. I *think* its because they are hair sheep, but I don't know for sure. They sure were cute though:
After all the sheep and cows started looking the same, we decided it was probably time to head home. We had spent 7 hours walking around and our brains and feet were tired! We even managed to make it out of there without stepping in anything gross, eating too much greasy fair food or spending exorbitant amounts of money. I consider that a success and cant wait to get back there next year!