benton county fair & rodeo

What benton county fair & rodeo does

Benton County Fair & Rodeo is a county-government-operated annual fair held at the Benton County Fairgrounds at 110 SW 53rd Street in Corvallis, Oregon, drawing more than 20,000 attendees over four days. The event is governed by a Fair Board of seven voting members appointed by the Benton County Board of Commissioners under Oregon Revised Statutes 565.210, with the Fairgrounds Manager and NAPE Director serving as non-voting ex-officio members. Programming spans NPRA-sanctioned rodeo competition across three nights, the Larry Bell Memorial All Girls Rodeo, a Rainier Amusements carnival midway, mainstage concerts, the Willamette Valley Fiddle Contest, Battle of the Bands, Beard/Mustache/Goatee Competition, Rodeo Queen Pageant, and a competitive open-class exhibits program. The 4-H youth livestock program, administered in partnership with OSU Extension, involves approximately 210 young people raising rabbits, poultry, goats, steers, swine, and lambs culminating in the Lee Allen Memorial Youth Market Auction.

Revenue is generated through a diversified transaction-and-admission mix: single-day gate tickets ($10 adult, $8 senior 60+, $8 youth 7-16, free under 6), four-day season passes ($30 adult, $24 senior, $24 youth), $5 daily parking, vendor booth fees applied for on a first-come-first-served basis, and sponsorship packages sold directly by a Fair Sponsorship Specialist targeting a 20,000+ audience reach. Special revenue streams include the annual Fair Foundation BBQ Dinner fundraiser catered by Pig Out BBQ, Battle of the Bands entry fees (up to 10 band slots), Willamette Valley Fiddle Contest registration fees ($5-$15 per division), and rodeo chute/buckle sponsorships. Distribution runs through gate sales at three entry points (Orange/West, Blue/South, Purple/Will Call) and the Saffire event management platform for online ticket purchases with mobile QR redemption. The organization reports to county government via staff including Fairgrounds Manager Jennifer Martin, Fair Sponsorship Specialist Mindy Johnson, Vendor Coordinator Kerri Sellers Mandelkow, Rodeo Sponsorship lead Leanna Buck, and Maintenance lead Doug Covey; chairing the Fair Board is Kristi Schrock with Aurora Jensen as Vice Chair. No venture capital, private equity, or external institutional investment is involved, consistent with its public-entity status.

Name

benton county fair & rodeo

Legal name

Benton County Fairgrounds

Website

https://bentoncountyfair.net

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Benton County Fair & Rodeo is a county-government-operated annual four-day fair in Corvallis, Oregon, serving more than 20,000 community attendees with NPRA-sanctioned rodeo, carnival, concerts, 4-H livestock programs, competitive exhibits, and vendor and sponsorship programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

County Fair & Rodeo Event Services

NAICS

Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Equestrian & Rodeo Facilities (MPAKAEAM), Family, Kids & Education Fairs (MPAGAFAH)

Keywords

• County fair events
• Rodeo competitions
• Livestock exhibitions
• Carnival entertainment
• Event ticketing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Corvallis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Gate Admission Tickets: Daily gate admission fees for fair access. Adults $10, Seniors (60+) $8, Youth (7-16) $8, children 6 and under free. Tickets sold at gate and online.
2. Season Passes: Four-day admission passes for unlimited fair access. Adult $30, Seniors $24, Youth $24.
3. Parking Fees: Daily vehicle parking at $5 per vehicle at gate or $5 online pre-purchase.
4. Battle of the Bands Registration: Limited to 10 band slots, competitive entry for mainstage performance opportunity.
5. Fiddle Contest Entry Fees: Registration fees for competition divisions ranging from $5 to $15 depending on category.
6. Vendor Booth Fees: Commercial booth spaces for vendors selling products at the fair. Applications on first-come, first-served basis.
7. Sponsorship Revenue: Marketing and promotional partnerships with businesses reaching 20,000+ attendees over four days. Includes chute and buckle sponsorships for rodeo.
8. Fair Foundation BBQ Dinner Tickets: Annual fundraiser dinner including parking and fair admission, catered by Pig Out BBQ Catering.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Benton County Fair & Rodeo operates an annual four-day county fair held at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Corvallis, Oregon. The event combines NPRA-sanctioned rodeo competitions, a Rainier Amusements carnival midway, mainstage concerts, 4-H livestock exhibitions, competitive exhibits, craft beverages, and community competitions such as the Battle of the Bands and Willamette Valley Fiddle Contest. It sells daily gate admission, season passes, parking, vendor booths, and sponsorship packages, and is supported year-round by event facility rentals and a Fair Foundation fundraiser.

Product overview

The Benton County Fair & Rodeo is a four-day county fair event held annually in Corvallis, Oregon, offering a diverse portfolio of entertainment and community programs. The core offering centers on rodeo events including the Larry Bell Memorial All Girls Rodeo and NPRA-sanctioned rodeo competitions, complemented by Rainier Amusements carnival midway and Mainstage entertainment featuring national touring acts. Supporting programs include 4-H livestock exhibitions, competitive exhibits, youth market auction, and various competitions such as the Willamette Valley Fiddle Contest and Battle of the Bands. The event operates the Benton Oaks Taphouse for craft beverages and provides sponsorship, vendor booth, and facility rental services. The fair serves as a community gathering venue with ADA accommodations, senior discounts, and family-focused programming across its entertainment venues including the Oak Grove Stage and Funporium Central Plaza.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Benton County Rodeo Three nights of NPRA-sanctioned rodeo competition featuring bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie down roping, team roping, and barrel racing, with prize money and buckles awarded to competitors.
• Larry Bell Memorial All Girls Rodeo All-girls rodeo event featuring team roping, breakaway roping, goat tying, pole bending, barrel racing, women's bull riding, and women's ranch bronc riding, honoring founding member Larry Bell.
• Rainier Amusements Carnival Carnival midway operated by Rainier Amusements featuring rides, games, and attractions open daily from 1:00 PM, with height and safety guidelines for riders.
• Mainstage Entertainment Nightly concerts on the main stage featuring family entertainment, Battle of the Bands, Rock Night with Queen Nation tribute band, and Country Night with Hunter Hayes and Jacquie Roar.
• Oak Grove Stage Secondary entertainment venue featuring the Willamette Valley Fiddle Contest, Rodeo Queen Pageant, 4-H Awards Ceremony, and daily performers including Bright Heart Circus and Jeff Martin.
• Funporium - Central Plaza Indoor entertainment hub featuring First Force Robotics demonstrations, Willamette Cascade Model Railroad Club train displays, butterfly encounters, and shopping vendors.
• 4-H Livestock Program Youth livestock exhibition program administered with OSU Extension featuring cattle, swine, goats, sheep, poultry, and rabbits, with the Lee Allen Memorial Youth Market Auction on Saturday at 3 PM.
• Competitive Exhibits Open class competitive displays including pies, quilts, paintings, flowers, vegetables, and crafts with blue ribbon judging across multiple categories.
• Benton Oaks Taphouse Craft beverage venue in the oak grove featuring 18 taps of local and craft brews and ciders, open only during the four days of the fair.
• Willamette Valley Fiddle Contest One of the longest-running fiddle competitions on the West Coast, attracting national champions seeking certification from the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest, with divisions for all age groups.
• Battle of the Bands Annual music competition limited to 10 band slots where local bands compete for the chance to open for Friday night's mainstage headliner.
• Beard, Mustache & Goatee Competition Facial hair competition organized by Rotary Club of Corvallis After 5, held on Saturday from 3-6 PM in the Floral Courtyard with categories for all facial hair styles.
• Rodeo Queen Pageant Competition to select the Benton County Rodeo Queen, held over three days with contestants demonstrating rodeo knowledge, horsemanship, and public speaking skills.
• Lee Allen Memorial Youth Market Auction Live auction of youth-raised livestock including rabbits, poultry, goats, steers, swine, and lambs, with approximately 210 young participants and buyer appreciation lunch.
• Fair Foundation BBQ Dinner Annual fundraiser dinner held at the Hull-Oakes Picnic Shelter, catered by Pig Out BBQ Catering, including parking, fair admission, and VIP hospitality area access.
• Sponsorship Opportunities Marketing and sponsorship packages reaching audiences of 20,000+ over four days, with benefits including brand visibility, demographic reach, and alignment with the county fair tradition.
• Vendor Booth Space Commercial booth spaces available for vendors selling products at the fair, with applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Event Facility Rentals Facility rental services for the Benton County Event Center and Fairgrounds, administered through the fairgrounds office year-round.
• Senior Day Thursday event offering free admission to guests 60 and older, featuring ice cream social near the mainstage and BINGO activities.
• Fair Gate Admission and Season Passes Daily gate admission and four-day season passes for adults ($10 daily / $30 season), seniors 60+ ($8 daily / $24 season), and youth 7-16 ($8 daily / $24 season), with children 6 and under free; includes concerts and rodeo with admission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual attendance exceeds 20,000 people over four days
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Lazy HK BarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRodeo contractor awarded the rodeo contractor RFP for managing rodeo events.
• Queen NationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerQueen tribute band performing as Friday night headliner (Rock Night) at the main stage. Known as 'The People's Choice Tribute To Queen Champions' with California Music Hall of Fame honor in 2020 and Best Live Band award at 2020 VCMA's. Band formed in 2004 in Los Angeles by DMHE with four musicians led by vocalist Gregory Finsley.
• Hunter HayescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGRAND-slam nominated, multi-instrumentalist, PLATINUM-selling country artist performing as Saturday Country Night headliner. Has amassed 3 billion global on-demand streams with seven singles achieving gold and 10x PLATINUM certifications. Toured with Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.
• Jacquie RoarcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRising country music star and Season 24 'The Voice' finalist (finished 4th) performing on Country Night. Has performed at Oregon Jamboree and shared stages with Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan+Shay and others.
• Pig Out BBQ CateringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCatering company providing food service for the Fair Foundation annual fundraiser BBQ dinner held at Hull-Oakes Picnic Shelter.
• Holiday Inn Express (Official Benton County Fair Hotel)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial hotel partner for the Benton County Fair, offering accommodations for out-of-town visitors.
• Best Western CorvallisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended hotel partner for fair attendees.
• Courtyard by Marriott CorvallisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended hotel partner for fair attendees.
• Hilton Garden Inn CorvallisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended hotel partner for fair attendees.
• Hotel CorvallisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended hotel partner for fair attendees.
• Fernwood Circle Guest HousesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended alternative accommodations for fair attendees.
• Corvallis-Benton County Public LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in Any Ticket Works promotion - library events between June 15 and July 31 provide $2 off fair tickets.
• OSU Extension (4-H Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner4-H program administered by Oregon State University Extension, providing youth livestock and exhibit programs at the fair. Coordinates youth participation in livestock auction with approximately 210 young people.
• Rainier AmusementscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarnival company providing rides and amusement attractions at the fair. Opens each day at 1:00 PM with ticket-based ride system. Children under 2 not permitted on rides.
• The Willamette Cascade Model Railroad ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClub displaying model trains in the Funporium during fair.
• First Force RoboticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRobotics teams showcasing technology in the Funporium, inspiring young people's interest in science and innovation.
• Rotary Club of Corvallis After 5minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizers of the Beard, Mustache & Goatee Competition held during the fair.
• Pioneer ConnectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Country Night entertainment featuring Hunter Hayes and Jacquie Roar.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lane County Fair: Eugene, Oregon county fair with rodeo, 4-H, carnival, concerts, and competitive exhibits - directly comparable regional fairground operator and peer county in the same state.
• Linn County Fair & Expo Center: Adjacent Oregon county fair in Albany, OR with rodeo, 4-H livestock, carnival, and concert programming - very comparable scale, governance (county-operated), and Willamette Valley catchment.
• Oregon State Fair: State-level annual exposition in Salem, Oregon with livestock exhibits, rodeo, carnival, concerts, and competitive exhibits - directly comparable in programming, governance model, and Pacific Northwest audience to Benton County Fair & Rodeo.
• Yamhill County Fair & Rodeo: Oregon county fair featuring rodeo, livestock, and entertainment programming - similar county-fair scale, rodeo anchor, and Pacific Northwest audience.
• Polk County Fair (Oregon): Neighboring Oregon county fair with rodeo, 4-H livestock, carnival, and community programming - same scale, governance structure, and Willamette Valley catchment area.

Broad incumbents

• Washington State Fair: Larger Pacific Northwest fair in Puyallup, WA with rodeo, headliner concerts, 4-H, and extensive amusement rides - same regional fairgoing audience and entertainment programming, but operates at a substantially larger scale with a much longer run.
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: Major U.S. livestock exposition and NPRA-sanctioned rodeo with concerts, 4-H-style youth programs, and large sponsorship reach - direct analog on the rodeo/livestock/concert format though at a vastly larger scale.
• National Western Stock Show: Denver-based annual livestock exposition with rodeo competitions, 4-H/youth programs, and concert entertainment - comparable in rodeo plus livestock-mix programming, considerably larger scale.

Regional players

• Calgary Stampede: World-class annual rodeo, exhibition, and agricultural fair in Alberta, Canada - directly overlapping rodeo, livestock, agricultural programming, and concert elements, but in a Canadian geography.
• Rose Festival (Portland): Regional Pacific Northwest annual civic event featuring parades, amusement rides, and community programming - comparable in Oregon community event programming and outdoor entertainment format, though broader events rather than livestock-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BentonCountyFairandRodeo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/benton-county-fairgrounds

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about benton county fair & rodeo