While dinosaurs and llama invasions grabbed the headlines, they’re far from the only news — some good, some bad — happening at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds this year.
Another new event for the fairgrounds, just announced Friday, was that the 6th Annual Junk Refunk Street Market will be relocating from its traditional setting at Wait Park to the fairgrounds this year.
Readers should note that — unlike next month’s Jurassic Empire and Oregon Ag Fest — this is not a drive-thru event, though social distancing and other coronavirus guidelines that are in effect at the time will be enforced.
Known for its eclectic mix of amazing artisans and vendors that has grown over the years, Junk Refunk specializes in rustic, vintage, mid-century, farmhouse styles and more.
“You are sure to have fun and find that something special,” organizers promise on the market’s Facebook page. “We have new vintage clothing vendors, local personal care vendors and amazing ideas for your home — or just because!”
Junk Refunk will be held July 9 and 10. Parking is free.
The Clackamas Kennel Club also plans to return to the fairgrounds this year, in a conformation-only, “show and go” format for all breeds on June 26 and 27. Organizers say the state is expected to provide another update at the end of April — at which time the club will be able to provide additional information.
Finally, fairgrounds Event and Marketing Coordinator Tyler Nizer said the Fairgrounds Features Drive-in is also expected to make a comeback later this year. Though the temporary screen installed in 2020 was damaged during the storm that preceded the destructive wildfires last September, staff are working on designs that would make the drive-in a permanent fixture for the county fairgrounds.
“We’re hoping to bring that back, maybe in June, depending on how construction goes,” he explained. “It’s something that is good for the Covid environment, but also something we can expand on and make it a fun part of a lot of different festivals.”
The permanent screen will be installed in more or less the same area that the temporary one was set up, Nizer explained, a change from the fairgrounds’ earlier plan to build it in one of the fairgrounds’ parking lots.
Now, the bad news. The Spring Garden Fair — which had been held every Mother’s Day weekend since 1984 before being canceled last year due to the pandemic — will not return in 2021, organizers have confirmed.
And, the Oregon Bigfoot Festival, which had decided to move to the Clackamas County Fairgrounds last year after outgrowing its original location in Troutdale, will also forego a 2021 edition.
“This event has been canceled due to state mandates,” organizers J.C. and Katie Mercer said on their website. “We look forward to the healing process of 2022.”
Harefest 10 has also postponed its debut at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds, as previously reported.
For now, the Oregon Renaissance Faire is still on for the first two weekends of June, according to its website and Facebook page, and Nizer confirmed organizers have not told him they plan to cancel.
And, Nizer added, no decision has yet been made with regard to the Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo, though that could come as early as next month.
“It’s very good news that some events are coming back,” Nizer told the Current. “We’re just working hard to bring back whatever we can and just keep moving forward. We’re doing the best that we can to make that happen.”
