The Umatilla County Fair has once again created a unique main-stage lineup that’s creating a buzz throughout the Northwest. The county fair based in Hermiston kicks off on Wednesday, Aug. 6, with folk and country artist Waylon Wyatt, followed on Thursday by Nashville singer-songwriter Chase Matthew. Friday will rock with Better Than Ezra (BTE), an alternative rock band. And Saturday, Aug. 10, is Latino Night featuring a lineup of popular Latin American artists.
It’s easy to let the concerts steal the show, but the fair is also home to one of the largest youth livestock auctions in Oregon, bringing in more than a million dollars for participating 4-H and FFA exhibitors. And the fair will host a full carnival by Davis Shows NW, with online presale wristbands discounted until opening day.
Waylon Wyatt is an 18-year-old folk and country artist from Arkansas. He gained popularity with his debut EP, “Til The Sun Goes Down,” which has accumulated more than 100 million streams. Inspired by artists such as Tyler Childers and Zach Bryan, he began writing songs at age 15, often after working with his father on construction jobs.
Chase Matthew is a country music singer-songwriter from Nashville. He has gained popularity for his authentic, relatable music and energetic live performances, leading to a large following on social media and successful tours. His music often explores themes of relationships, heartache and everyday life, resonating with a broad audience.
Better Than Ezra (BTE) is an American alternative rock band based in New Orleans. The band, originally formed in 1988 in Baton Rouge, has released nine studio albums, most recently 2024’s “Super Magick.” The group is best known for the 1993 multi-platinum album “Deluxe” and the 1995 single “Good,” which reached number-one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. When describing the almost overnight success of “Deluxe,” bassist Tom
Drummond said, “It took us seven years to get signed, and then seven weeks to get to number one.”
Concerts begin at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Saturday’s Latino Night begins at 7 p.m. And, of course, there’ll be family entertainment all day on the Les Schwab stage and throughout the fairgrounds.
But there’s a lot more to the Umatilla County Fair than music. With the 2025 theme “Cowbells and Carousels,” the four-day Hermiston event promises to have something for every member of your family. There’ll be a kick-off parade on Aug. 2 starting at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Hermiston. Beginning on Wednesday, the four-day run of the fair will feature exhibits, a livestock auction, a full carnival, the Farm City Pro Rodeo and much more. As you roam the fairgrounds you can enjoy a watermelon-seed spitting contest, a tractor pull, magic and juggling acts and the Cutest Baby Contest.
Fun@The Fair is a fun-filled camp for first-to-fifth graders, focusing on things to do on the fairgrounds. Kids will have fun while creating arts and crafts together, playing games, dancing, and more. They will follow a daily schedule and attend activities and events happening at the fair for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience. The campers will also perform on the Les Schwab stage on Friday. The cost is $100 for the four-day camp, and you can register online.
The Umatilla County Fair and Farm-City Rodeo are held at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center (EOTEC) in Hermiston. For more information, including a complete schedule and ticket options for concerts and parking, visit umatillacountyfair.net. Vendor applications are also available online.