Get ahead: start planning your summer with these annual events
Abby LuscheiSummer in Salem means the return of so many beloved traditions: World Beat, the Oregon State Fair, Hoopla, Movies in the Park — need I say more?
Here's what you need to know about these annual events coming up over the next few months:
Canterbury Renaissance Faire
The Canterbury Renaissance Faire offers an interactive environment modeled after a Summer Market Faire from the “Good Queen Bess” (Elizabeth I, 1558-1603) era. It features demonstrations, full-contact jousting, a tavern, food and more.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, July 20-21 and 27-28
Location: 6569 Valley View Road, Silverton
Cost: $15-27 adults, $12-21 ages 6-12 and ages 60 and older, free for ages 5 and younger; free parking
Info: canterburyfaire.com
Cherryfest NW
Formerly the Bite & Brew of Salem, this four-day festival features a 4th of July fireworks display, the NW Cornhole Classic, live music, King of Country Concert, food, beer and hard liquor, carnival games and rides.
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 4-6, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 7
Location: Riverfront Park, 200 Water. St. NE
Cost: Free on July 4 and 7, $5 per person or $20 max per family Friday and Saturday
Info: cherryfestnw.com
Fish Fest
Oregon's largest Christian music festival returns with Matt Maher, Zach Williams, Mac Powell and the Family Reunion, We Are Messengers, Ryan Stevenson and Mark Lee.
When: 2 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17
Location: Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. NE
Cost: $15-150
Info: fishfestportland.com
Great Oregon Steam-Up
Powerland Heritage Parks showcase event featuring all 14 heritage museums and daily activities including demonstrations, trolley and train rides, vintage tractors, cars and trucks, sawmilling and blacksmithing.
When: July 27-28 and Aug. 3-4
Location: Powerland Heritage Park, 3995 Brooklake Road NE
Cost: $15, $25 weekend pass, $10 for ages 13-18 or $15 weekend pass, free for ages 12 and younger
Info: powerlandheritagepark.com
Homer Davenport Community Festival
Annual festival featuring traditions including Davenport Races, Homer's Parade, live entertainment, food, arts, crafts and more.
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 2-3 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 4
Location: Silverton
Info: homerdavenport.com
Hoopla
Oregon's largest 3v3 street basketball tournament event held in downtown Salem.
When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 3 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 4
Location: Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St. NE
Cost: $180 per team, $200 after June 17 (deadline to register is July 16)
Info: oregonhoopla.com
Make Music Day
Enjoy live music of all genres from people of all skill levels around town on the first full day of the summer solstice; Salem is one of more than 700 cities taking part in the event.
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: Various locations in Salem
Cost: Free to attend
Info: makemusicday.org/salem
Marion County Fair
Features rides, games, a rodeo, live music, contests and more.
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 11, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 12-13 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 14
Location: Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. NE
Cost:
- July 11: $9 ages 12 and older, $5 ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and younger, ages 62 and older and military/veterans with ID
- July 12: $9 ages 19 and older, $5 for ages 12-18 and ages 62 and older, free for ages 5 and younger and for kids wearing an Awesome 3,000 T-shirt
- July 13: $9 ages 12 and older, $5 ages 6-11 and ages 62 and older, free for ages 5 and younger
- July 14: $9 ages 12 and older, $5 ages 62 and older, free for ages 12 and younger
- Discounted pre-sale tickets available online
Info: marioncountyfair.net
Movies in the Park
Bring blankets and snacks to enjoy during family-friendly screenings of the following movies on a 24-foot inflatable screen:
- "Ralph Breaks The Internet" (PG) at approximately 9 p.m. July 13
- "Moana" (PG) at approximately 9 p.m. July 20
- "Mary Poppins Returns" (PG) at approximately 8:45 p.m. July 27
- "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (PG) at approximately 8:30 p.m. Aug. 3
- "Solo: A Star Wars Story" (PG-13) at approximately 8 p.m. Aug. 24
Location: Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. NE; arriving early is advised
Cost: Free, donations accepted
Info: salemmoviesinthepark.com
Mount Angel Abbey Bach Festival
Three days of classical music and delicious picnic buffets at the Mount Angel Abbey.
When: July 24-26
Location: Mount Angel Abbey, 1 Abbey Drive, St. Benedict (18 miles east of Salem)
Cost: $60 per night; includes dinner, beverage and concert
Info: mountangelabbey.org/join-us/bach/ or 503-845-3535
Music on the Willamette Series
Enjoy wine, food and live music at this winery by the river to the following schedule:
- June 9: Skybound Blue
- June 23: Joe Stoddard
- July 7: The FlexTones
- July 21: Harvey Brindell & The Tablerockers
- Aug. 4: The Whiskey Darlings
- Aug. 18: Paula Byrne Quartet
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, approximately 1 to 4 p.m. for live music
Location: Arcane Cellars, 22350 Magness Road NW
Cost: $10 for entry and tasting fee from noon to 1 p.m., $5 after 1 p.m.
Info: arcanecellars.com/events
Oregon State Fair
Features rides, games, Dog Town, Artisan's Village, vendors, food, concerts, competitions, petting zoo and more.
State Fair concerts:REO Speedwagon, 3 Doors Down, Brett Young and more in 2019
When: Aug. 23 to Sept. 2
Location: Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. NE
Cost: Pre-sale $6 adults, $4 children admission tickets and $37.50 wristbands through Aug. 22; $8 adult, $6 children, $50 wristband regular
Info: oregonstatefair.org
Polk County Fair
Features bouncy houses, games, vendors, a rodeo, live entertainment and more.
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 8-10
Location: Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 S Pacific Hwy W, Rickreall
Cost: $10 day pass, $25 season pass for adults, $7 day pass, $18 season pass for ages 62 and older, $5 day pass, $13 season pass for ages 11-14, free for ages 10 and younger and military with ID; free parking
Info: co.polk.or.us/fair/annual/2019-polk-county-fair
River's Edge Summer Series
Headliners include:
- July 12: Erotic City (Prince tribute band)
- July 19: Shoot to Thrill (AC/DC tribute band)
- July 26: Appetite for Deception (Guns & Roses tribute band)
- Aug. 2: Who's Bad (Michael Jackson tribute band)
- Aug. 9: Ty Curtis (blues/rock)
- Aug. 16: Triple Shot (Heart, Pat Benatar and Bad Company tribute band)
When: Openers at 6:30, headliners at 8:30 p.m.
Location: Riverview Amphitheater, 50 C St., Independence
Cost: Free with suggested $5 donation (unless otherwise posted)
Info: independenceamphitheater.com
River Rock Concert Series
A three-day outdoor music celebration in downtown Salem featuring a beer, cider and wine garden, food court, kids zone and the following lineup:
- July 10: Ned LeDoux (country)
- July 11: Spin Doctors (pop/funk/rock)
- July 12: John Splithoff with special guest Edna Vazquez (singer/songwriters)
When: Doors at 5:30, show at 7 p.m.
Location: Riverfront Park Amphitheater, 200 Water St. NE
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the gate, $59 series pass for all three shows
Info: 503-763-1944 or riverrocksalem.com; tickets at riverrock.ticketleap.com
Salem Art Fair & Festival
70th annual event featuring more than 200 artists, live music and entertainment on three stages, art activities, craft beer/wine gardens, food/drink vendors and more.
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with live music until 9 p.m. July 19-20 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 21
Location: Bush’s Pasture Park, 600 Mission St. SE
Cost: $5 day pass, $10 three day pass, free for ages 16 and younger and Oregon Trail Card members, free for all between 3 and 5 p.m. Sunday
Info: salemart.org
Santiam Summerfest
24th annual event sponsored by the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce and Maps Credit Union featuring car show, dog show, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, vendor street fair, ducky derby, arts and crafts, family fun zone, food, brews, and live entertainment.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 27; food, brews and live entertainment until 6 p.m.
Location: Downtown 3rd Avenue, Stayton
Cost: Free admission
Info: facebook.com/events/562311587539346
84th Annual 4th of July Rodeo
Features the St. Paul Rodeo, Wild West Art Fair, a parade, live music, carnival, vendors and more.
When: July 2-6
Location: St Paul Rodeo Arena, 20025 4th St. NE, St Paul
Cost: $18-200
Info: stpaulrodeo.com
Summer Block Party
Celebrate summer learning with a day of free admission to Gilbert House Children’s Museum and enjoy activity booths.
When: Activity booths 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free admission 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, June 24
Location: Gilbert House Children's Museum, 116 Marion St. NE
Info: acgilbert.org
World Beat Festival
Experience world customs, traditions, ethnic foods, crafts, demonstrations, children’s activities, parades, and dragon boat racing; also celebrate the cultures of India.
When: Kick off World Beat with live music, food and fire dancing at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
Location: Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. NE
Cost: $5 per person, free for ages 14 and younger
Info: salemmulticultural.org/festival/world-beat-festival
Abby Luschei is the entertainment reporter for the Statesman Journal and can be reached at aluschei@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6747. To support her work, consider subscribing. Follow her on Twitter @abbyluschei or facebook.com/luscheiabby.
Interested in telling at one of the upcoming Salem Storytellers Project events? Submit your story: www.storytellersproject.com/tell