OCF

[u/kath3r1n333]

My bf and I moved just here a bit less than a week ago. So far, we are already loving this town and finding so much to do! Anyway, today we went to OCF. I’m seeing so many jaded comments about the fair:/ honestly, we really enjoyed it! The live music was spectacular, and it was so nice just walking and looking at things and people around. The place felt like a maze but in a fun way not in an overwhelming labyrinth kind of way. Bf and I are both on the reserved/anxious side w these event sort of things, and we’re both happy that the place just felt comforting, fun, and rly happy! Until next year, but if there’s anyone else who maybe was on the fence, I’d suggest you give it a try if you have someone close you can go with to soak it all in and enjoy the stroll!

[u/knowone23]

The complainers are the ones that go to the fair to get some real Oregon cultural experience and then never stray from the “8” (the neverending main crowded highway that NEVER ENDS on purpose.)

That’s not the destination, the destinations are tucked away and have to be discovered.

Like the people lying under the piano listening to the free music shows that spontaneously happens under the majestic big leaf Maple canopy. Or the drum circle dance party that is open to all. Or the random conversations that get struck up in a hay bale with somebody rocking a neon tutu.

The biggest mistake you can make at the fair is to try to somehow see it all, or to make the main infinite 8 your destination instead of the side quests.

[u/[deleted] → u/knowone23]

No offense but this post paints a picture of my personal hell.

OCF is a bunch of burnout losers getting yuppies to pay for their drugs.

You could go to any music venue in town Friday/Saturday/Sunday and see actual musicians. and support their career in music rather than watching shirtless dudes in tie dye baggy pants pretend that “just feeling it, man” is equivalent to musicians who write, practice, and actually know music theory.

[u/washington_jefferson → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, but like you said- you can watch professional musicians play classical or mainstream music on any random weekend of the year. The OCF is the one time where you stop and actually listen to buskers play gritty, Americana folk music, instead of telling them they are violating loitering/panhandling laws. (Not that you should actually antagonize buskers in person).

In the movie “Deliverence”, Burt Reynolds didn’t tell the inbred banjo boy that he needs to learn to play Bach on the piano- he was cool and played the “Dueling Banjos” tune with him. Why not? Roll with it.