HERMISTON — The Umatilla County Fair Kick-Off Parade is rolling into 2024 with a new route on Saturday, Aug. 3, 6:30 p.m.

It begins on West Highland Avenue near Hermiston High School but will head in the opposite direction than in past years — traveling along South Highway 395 to make the downtown loop on East Main and Northeast Third streets and Gladys Avenue before finally crossing the highway and ending at Ruty’s Restaurant, 130 W. Hermiston Ave.

With the theme, “A Blue Ribbon Future,” the fair is Aug. 7-10, 10 a.m. to midnight (1 a.m. on Saturday) at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center. Daily admission for ages 11 and up is $12; children are free.

The indoor event center, which closes nightly at 9 p.m., highlights the talents of area residents in open class entries. The main exhibit hall includes commercial vendors and nonprofit organizations.

A bustling midway

The outdoor midway offers a variety of food and vendor booths. Free entertainment on the Les Schwab Stage includes Sean Watson, a magician and master of illusion; Magical MickeyO, a unique one-man show with comedy, magic, juggling and prop tricks; and the always popular Cutest Baby Contest on Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. Also, look for the Little Rascals Kidz Club, which features eight hands-on activity stations for children.

The Davis Shows Northwest carnival opens daily at 2 p.m. (noon on Saturday). Unlimited ride wristbands are $30 if purchased before noon on Tuesday, Aug. 6. After the presale, they are $40 each.

Main stage entertainment

Limited bleacher seats are available with fair admission for the Wildhorse Main Stage shows: Pecos & the Rooftops (Aug. 7), Kameron Marlowe (Aug. 8) and Theory of a Deadman (Aug. 9). The shows start at 9 p.m. in the outdoor concert area. General seating and fan pit tickets range from $15-$25 via www.umatillacountyfair.net.

The Latino Night dance and concert is Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. It features four musical acts, including headliner Banda Rancho Viejo. Tickets are $50 each.

Visit the 4-H and FFA animals and view contests in the swine/small animal barns and Burns Pavilion. The 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock Auction begins Aug. 10 at 10 a.m.

Farm-City Pro Rodeo

In its 36th year, the Farm-City Pro Rodeo is Aug. 7-10, at 7:45 p.m. Each performance begins with mutton bustin’ followed by professional cowboys and cowgirls vying for a share of the purse.

Tickets are $17-$20 (Family Night on Aug. 7 features $5 admission for children) via www.farmcityprorodeo.com.

After the last bull bucks, people can dance the night away in Chute Eight. Dan Burns Productions will spin tunes after the rodeo until midnight.