KARL MAASDAM/Gazette-Times

Nicole Gilmore, left, gives her 3-year-old Shetland pony, Tasmanian Charm, a trim Monday with the help of her sister Danielle Ottinger at the Benton County Fairgrounds.

Benton County Fair opens today

CORVALLIS - Several building improvements were completed in time for the opening of this year's Benton County Fair.

The fair opened this morning and runs through Saturday at the fairgrounds, 110 S.W. 53rd St. One-day admission is $7 for adults, $3 for children age 6 to 12, and children age 5 and younger get in free. Parking is $2 per day.

With a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant, the county upgraded restrooms, built new shower facilities and paved 11 handicapped accessible parking places and built a pathway to the entrance, all to make the fair more accessible to the disabled.

Here is a schedule of events through Wednesday.

Today

4 p.m. - Live Birds of Prey, Oak Grove Stage.

6 p.m. - Sheep Dog Trials, West of west parking lot.

8 p.m. - Brad Paisley, Main Stage.

9:30 p.m. - Hi-Steppin' Country Dancers, Oak Grove Stage.

11 p.m. - Fair closes.

Wednesday

9 a.m. - Gates open, but events start at noon.

12:30 p.m. - Recycling band, Oak Grove Stage.

1:30 p.m. - Golden Wedding Game, Oak Grove Stage.

2-4:30 p.m. - Tractor Pull Weigh-In, Parking lot.

3 p.m. - Dana Smith, juggler with trick dog, Oak Grove Stage.

3:30 p.m. - Ice cream social/Calamity Jazz, Around the grounds.

3:40 p.m. - Live Birds of Prey, Oak Grove Stage.

4:30 p.m. - Gold 'N Silver Follies, senior talent, Oak Grove Stage.

5:15 p.m. - Tractor parade, Around the grounds.

5:30 p.m. - Tractor pull, Outdoor Arena.

7 and 9 p.m. - Chely Wright, Main Stage.

11 p.m. - Fair closes.