From August 25 through September 4, the biggest party in the state is in Salem for the Oregon State Fair. What’s better than rounding out the end of summer with rides, food, woolly sheep to pet, and family fun? There’s so much to do for kids of all ages, that you won’t have any trouble getting the kids excited. Here are 11 reasons you don’t want to miss this year’s Oregon Fair — not to mention the fried food on a stick.

1. Family Fun Day

September 4 is Dia de La Familia Day, or Family Fun Day, with special activities for the younger set. Details are forthcoming, but if you’re coming with younger kids who prefer face painting to tractor pulls, put it on your calendar now. Think music, entertainment, and Fair-worthy crafts just for your kids.

2. Horse Shows

Any horse lovers in your family? 4H and Future Farmers of America will be putting on public shows and equestrian contests in the Horse Stadium September 26-29. Sunday, August 28 will include dressage and fence jumping for those junior equestrians in your life. If you’re looking for more action, games like barrel racing zoom around the stadium on Monday, August 29.

3. Dog Town

X-Treme Air Dogs will thrill and delight your family with their jumping prowess, whether they’re catching Frisbees, diving from a dock, or just hanging out for photo opportunities (and possible scritches, with permission, of course). An online schedule will help you make sure you don’t miss your choice of the K-9 “Dogs with Cool Jobs” demonstration or High Jump Competition.

4. Carnival Rides

From the tot-friendly Loop-O-Plane to the thrilling Power Surge, the Oregon Fair will have 44 carnival rides for your family to choose from. 12 of the rides are under the “kiddie ride” label, with a Wacky Worm roller coaster for little thrill-seekers and a Minions fun house. For bigger kids, seven of the rides are labeled “Spectaculars.” Or, just take a family on a spin of the Ferris Wheel and check out the view.

5. Free Tickets with the Summer Reading Program

If your kids have been reading up a storm with their local library’s Summer Reading Program, you’ve got free tickets to the Fair coming your way. Each youth ticket comes with a 2-for-1 adult ticket, too. Check with your local library for details. Multnomah County Library’s Summer Reading program runs through August 31.

6. The Bee at the Fair

Whether watching or participating, your kids will love the drama of this live spelling bee. The kids’ competition starts at 2:30 on September 3 — just sign up at the Creative Living information booth by 2:15 at the latest, and do your best! Teens and adults will compete at 3:30. Maybe mom or dad will feel the need to w-i-n.

7. Milk Mustache Contest

On September 5, there will be a competition that your kids have likely been practicing for without realizing it for a long time: a Milk Mustache contest. We can’t recommend the Milk-Chug-A-Lug contest for the little ones (though some have been practicing for that one, too), but line up before 5:30 ready to mug with your best milk mustache for 15 minutes of fame.

8. Chocolate Cake!

Did someone say chocolate cake? Any amateur baker can enter the Gerry Frank Chocolate Cake contest (everything from scratch, please) on September 4, so feel free to bring your best confection. You don’t have to bake to benefit from this contest, though. Chocolate cake will be handed out to spectators while supplies last.

9. Extreme Creature Feature

Are your kids ready for a close encounter with some extremely cool animals? “Brace yourself for encounters with big reptiles, lethal snakes, and extraordinary lizards” at the Extreme Creature Feature via Brad’s World of Reptiles. You’ll see rattlesnakes big and small, color-changing animals, and maybe even a baby gator if you’re lucky.

10. Machine Mania

It just wouldn’t be the State Fair if some cars didn’t crash into each other, right? Machine Mania is much more than that, however: check out Monster Trucks, Tuff Trucks, Demolition Derby, Freestyle Motorcycles, Truck and Tractor Pulls, Flat Track Motorcycle Racing, Outlaw Kart Racing, and Professional Speedway Kart Racing. Check the schedule for specific event times. Black Flag Go Karts are available as a ticketed ride all days of the Fair.

11. STREAM: Robots and More

It’s not all agriculture at the Fair. There’s room for (other types of) science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math, too, largely in the form of robotics. Watch robots from teams from grades 4-12 face off. When you’re done watching robots, explore Glen’s Gizmos in Columbia Hall for hands-on STREAM fun like puzzles another interactive exhibits.

Check out the Oregon State Fair website for fares, gate hours, and more. Don’t forget about your $5 advance tickets through August 25th!