🌮 Summer Fairs & Festivals Around Salem

What’s up, Salem!?! Ernie here, filling in for Jacob this week.

Today’s newsletter we welcome Em Chan! Excited and grateful to have her apart of the team.

How are you all doing? Are you having a good summer? A great summer??? Let us know.

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine and treating yourself to some great food.

-Ernie

Summer Fairs and Festivals around Salem

The summer is in full swing and festival season is upon us. From within Salem to a stone’s throw to the smaller towns outside of the city, these annual events are brimming with new experiences for all ages. Enjoy music, trains, fiestas and even corn. 

Music Festivals 

Love live music? There’s the Abbey Bach Festival (July 23-26) featuring various classic musicians and choral groups performing (primarily) Bach at Mt. Angel Abbey. Or, if you’d perform a plethora of music and entertainment, there’s the Englewood Forest Festival (Aug. 9) in Salem. 

But you’d be remiss to miss the Capital City Retrofest (Aug. 22-24) which features tribute bands performing for three nights at the Gerry Frank Amphitheater. Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, Abba - what screams “summer nights” more than enjoying some classic bands as the sun sets? 

Themed Festivals/Events

If you enjoy a good theme, there’s a few events to keep on your radar. The Great Oregon Steam-Up (July 26-27, Aug. 2-3) is two weekends showcasing steam-powered machines and vintage tractors, trucks, cars, trains and more. (Not quite completely planes, trains and automobiles, but you’re ⅔ of the way there.) 

The Aumsville Corn Festival (Aug. 14-16) is three days of enjoying corn on the cob… plus live music, roller skating, vendors, and more. There’s even a corn on the cob eating contest.

Cultural Celebrations

Ever wanted to go to a PowWow? The Grand Ronde Annual Contest Powwow (Aug. 15-17) includes singing, dancing and dance competitions across various categories. There will also be Native vendors selling their handiwork as well as sharing stories and histories. This is one of the largest powwows in the region, and is a celebration of the tribe’s culture and experiences.  

The Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana (Aug. 15-17) is historically to celebrate the end of the harvest season and in appreciation of farm workers in downtown Woodburn. Now, it’s a festival including vendors, soccer tournament, pickleball tournament, parade, carnival rides, games, food and even a coronation court for the fiesta. 

County/State Fairs

The Polk County Fair (Aug. 6-9) features carnival rides, rodeo, vendors, food, and various contests. Besides the usual contests like King of the Cook Stove and Queen of the Kitchen, there’s a Beautiful Baby Contest and a Master Crafter’s Contest?  

To finish out the summer festival and fair season is The Oregon State Fair (Aug. 22-Sept. 1). 11 days of carnival rides, games, live music (All-American Rejects? Sean Paul? All in Salem, wild!), competitions, food and drinks, and even a drone show. There’s something for everyone at the state’s largest fair. 

Keep an eye out for our newest podcast episode, dropping on all your favorite podcast apps. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram (@whatshappeningsalem) too! To check back on previously published newsletters, you can find them on our website, whatshappeningsalem.com.

Got a tip, event or something else we should follow up on? Write to Em at [email protected]. 

🍓⚾ BERRY EXCITING WEEK AHEAD! ⚾🍓

Baseball season is in full swing. This weekend is the perfect time to check out a Marion Berries game!

TUESDAY 7/15 - 7:05PM

🎵 Tunes Day presented by KBZY Radio

vs PORTLAND GHERKINS

WEDNESDAY 7/16 - 7:05PM

🌭 Weiner Dog Wednesday

vs PORTLAND GHERKINS

THURSDAY 7/17 - 7:05PM

🎯 Cornhole Tournament & Thirsty Thursday

vs PORTLAND GHERKINS

FRIDAY 7/18 - 6:35PM

🫐 Berry Days Weekend presented by Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission

vs WALLA WALLA SWEETS

SATURDAY 7/19 - 6:35PM

🫐 Berry Days Weekend presented by Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission

vs WALLA WALLA SWEETS

SUNDAY 7/20 - 5:05PM

🫐 Berry Days Weekend presented by Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission

vs WALLA WALLA SWEETS

Are you ready? Buy tickets here!

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 on Thursday,

Ernie