Quick podcast update…

Instead of immediately picking a new podcast host, we will be giving multiple people a shot at being a co-host.

I’m thinking about making the list of co-hosts and topics public. What do you think?

The plan is to record on Friday and have the episodes ready to go live on Monday.

Tomorrow we are recording a podcast on the new ODOT/City of Salem agreement.

If you have a question you’d like us to ask, reply to this email and let me know if you are okay with us giving you credit for the question.

Excited to continue growing this brand for Salem.

Have a good week, everyone.

Jacob

Sept. 17–20 | Downtown Mt. Angel

Dust off the lederhosen and start planning your trip because Mt. Angel Oktoberfest returns NEXT WEEKEND! The self-described largest folk festival in the Northwest fills the streets of Mt. Angel for four days of German and Swiss food, live entertainment, dancing, family activities, and plenty of beer, wine and cider.

And there is a LOT to explore. Wander downtown for arts and crafts, visit the Glockenspiel and Maibaum, catch live entertainment across multiple venues, or learn some traditional moves during the all-ages street dances Friday and Saturday night. Saturday also brings one of the festival’s most adorable traditions, the Wiener Dog Races, beginning at noon with finals around 4PM. Other festivities throughout the weekend include the Oktoberfest Olympics, car show, military vehicle display, 5K and 10K races, and more.

With 40+ nonprofit food booths, Oktoberfest is as much about eating as celebrating. Expect bratwurst, sausages, sauerkraut, spätzle, Reuben and Berliner sandwiches, pierogies, cinnamon rolls, berry sundaes, and plenty more. Even better, every purchase from an Oktoberfest food booth supports a nonprofit organization.

You don’t need a ticket to enjoy much of Oktoberfest. Entertainment at the Bandstand, Hopfengarten, Prostgarten, St. Mary Church, Kindergarten and Engelgarten is free. Only the Biergarten, Weingarten and Alpinegarten require paid admission. A daily wristband gives you access to all three premium venues throughout that day, including reentry.

Here’s one to plan ahead for: Oktoberfest is offering a shuttle from Salem on Saturday, Sept. 19. Shuttle tickets are available in advance, and organizers warn that the final rides home can fill quickly, so make sure to select both your trip to Mt. Angel and your return time when booking. Cherriots Route 20X is also listed as an option from the Salem area Thursday through Saturday.

Driving instead? Oktoberfest parking is available in two designated lots for $15 for the entire day, including trolley service into the festival. Trolleys run approximately every 15–20 minutes.

Four days, dozens of food booths, live music, dancing, wiener dogs and an entire town transformed into a Touch of Bavaria. Mt. Angel Oktoberfest is coming up fast, so start making those weekend plans now! 🍻🥨

One of Salem’s biggest arts traditions returns for its 77th year! Explore work from more than 200 juried artists from across the Pacific Northwest, plus live music, cultural performances, food, beer and wine, and art installations throughout Bush’s Pasture Park.

Come dance! Céilí of the Valley hosts its monthly Irish social dance with a lesson before the dancing begins, making it easy for newcomers to join in.

Bring some friends, learn the steps, and spend your Friday night trying something new.

Get lost, find some cider, and pick a few sunflowers along the way! Explore Bauman’s corn maze in search of hidden cider stations, with pours running from 11AM–4PM. U-cut sunflowers are also available for $2 per bloom, making for a full day of fall fun.

Dust off those boots! Boot, Scoot & Brew brings a full day of music to Riverfront Park alongside line dancing, dance demonstrations, food trucks, beer, wine and spirits, vendors, raffles, a bounce house, and even zucchini races.

Xicha Fest returns for its 9th anniversary with an all-day celebration of lucha libre, live music, cerveza, food, and community. Catch live lucha libre every 30 minutes from 3:30PM–8PM, plus performances throughout the day headlined by special guest Tijuana No! from Mexico.

Fitness meets the dance floor at Salem’s new social wellness club experience.

Start the night with fitness classes at 7PM, then stick around for music from Inferno & Friends, dancing, local wellness vendors, and a community-focused night built around movement and connection.

Race entries are sold out, but you can still get in on the fun! Head to Riverfront Park to cheer on runners and walkers as they make their way through Salem, then stick around for the post-race festivities, music, awards, and kids race.

Make a Sunday of it at West Hills Vineyards!

Start with a BARRE3 class from 11AM–12PM, shop local vendors from 12PM–3PM, and enjoy live music from Geoffrey Louis Koch from 12PM–2PM while sipping your favorite wines.

Glee star and Broadway performer Matthew Morrison brings his new show SHOW UP to Salem. Through music, dance, and storytelling, Morrison steps beyond the characters he’s known for to deliver a more personal performance centered on authenticity, curiosity, and connection.

Interested in connecting with our audience and supporting the growth of this publication? Simply reply to this email and we can help you get started.

Thanks for keeping up with Salem this week!

Spotted something interesting in town? Drop us a note at [email protected]. We love hearing from you.

See you next Thursday,

Ernie