Hey Salem,
The circus is in town. Flynn Creek Circus puts up its big top at Riverfront Park Friday through Sunday: aerialists, jugglers and knife throwers telling a fairytale, with a 21+ show Saturday night for the grown-ups.
Saturday is stacked and a little weird, in the best way. There's a canary show at the fairgrounds, antique fire trucks in Mt. Angel, a cider festival at Bauman's and a talk at Deepwood on the Victorian art of turning human hair into keepsakes. Yes, really.
Keeping it free? Plant trees with Friends of Trees in South Salem Saturday morning, sit in on a free Death Café at the Salem Multicultural Institute that afternoon, or bring a photo of a loved one to SMI's Día de los Muertos community ofrenda on Tuesday.
Salem Brew Week also kicks off Saturday. If you missed Tuesday's issue, here's the full plan.
One ask this week: which Salem neighborhood goes all out for trick-or-treaters? Hit reply and tell me the street. I'd love to share a few in next Thursday's issue, just in time.
Jacob
Also, don't miss these opportunities to get connected in Salem:
The WHS Community — our $20/quarter membership for people who want to go deeper: connect with fellow Salemites, swap recommendations, and get the inside scoop on the city.
The Dinner Club — (LAST DAY TO SIGN UP!) take a quick quiz, get matched with five Salem folks, and meet for dinner at a spot revealed the morning of. No awkwardness, just good company.
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The 5th Annual Masquerade Ball returns to downtown Salem on Saturday, Oct. 24, 6PM–11PM, and this year it's a full night out: dinner catered by Chira's, the modern steakhouse in the heart of Salem, a bar run by Mykie's, and Johnny Wheels & the Swamp Donkeys on stage from 7PM.
Dig out your most dazzling mask and your best black-tie (or flapper, or whatever makes you feel fabulous). There are best-costume prizes and raffle drawings throughout the night, so the effort pays off.
It's 21+, doors open at 5:45PM, and it's at the Reed Opera House, 189 Liberty St NE. Refunds are available up to seven days before the event, so grab tickets now and make it your Halloween-week plan.
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🎃 Your Halloween Week Game Plan
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, so the next nine days are one long spooky stretch. Here's where to start, from full scares to candy runs for the little ones.
Fri–Sun, Oct. 23–25 & Wed–Sun, Oct. 28–Nov. 1 | 7PM–10PM | 4-H Exhibit Hall, Oregon State Fair & Expo Center, 2330 17th St NE | See site for tickets, parking $10
The fairgrounds haunt is down to its last eight nights, including Halloween itself. This is the full-scare pick, so leave the little ones with the trick-or-treat list below.
🍬 Where to Trick-or-Treat on Sat, Oct. 31
Sat, Oct. 31 | Times vary by stop | Salem, Silverton, Mt. Angel and Woodburn
Noon–2PM: Trunk or Treat at Salem Alliance Church, 555 Gaines St NE. No registration, sensory resources on site, rain or shine.
3PM–6PM: Trick-or-Treat at Deepwood, at the front door of the Queen Anne Victorian, 1116 Mission St SE. Full rundown in the City section below.
3PM–5PM: Mt. Angel Candy Crawl at downtown businesses, and Woodburn Trunk-or-Treat on N Front St.
4PM–6PM: Silverton Goblin Walk down Main Street. Look for the orange pumpkin signs in shop windows.
E.Z. Orchards through Fri, Oct. 30 | Bauman's and Powerland through Sat, Oct. 31
E.Z. Orchards (5504 Hazelgreen Rd NE) wraps HarvestFest on Friday, Oct. 30, with hayrides all day; weekday mornings are just $5. Bauman's in Gervais closes for the season on Halloween. And Powerland Halloween in Brooks runs a not-scary trolley museum mystery Oct. 24, 25 and 31 ($19 adults, $15 ages 2–12).
Sat, Oct. 31 | Downtown and Southeast Salem | 21+
Two Brew Week parties land on Halloween: the downtown Zombie Crawl (check-in 5:30PM at Highdive, $10 if you buy by Monday, Oct. 26) and Time Warp Through the Decades with a 12-plus-piece funk band at The BAD Space at Santiam Brewing ($16.50). Pace yourself and get a ride home.
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🎪 Flynn Creek Circus: The Cricket & The Wren
Fri, Oct. 23–Sun, Oct. 25 | Fri 7PM; Sat & Sun 1PM, 4PM, 7PM | Riverfront Park, 200 Water St NE | See site for tickets
An all-human circus fairytale under a big top, with aerialists, jugglers, knife throwers and a sassy cow from Jack and the Beanstalk. Friday's opener is 10% off, and Saturday's 7PM show is 21+ only. Parking is free.
🎻 Oregon Symphony: Kahane, Still & Copland
Fri, Oct. 23 | 7:30PM, pre-concert talk 6:30PM | Rose Auditorium, South Salem High School, 1910 Church St SE | See site for tickets
The Oregon Symphony brings its Salem series to South Salem High. Come an hour early for a conversation with composer Gabriel Kahane.
🩸 Evil Dead the Musical
Opens Fri, Oct. 23, runs through Sun, Nov. 15 | Fri & Sat 7:30PM, Sun 2PM, including Halloween night | Venture Hall, 501 Marion St NE | $26–$41
Wandering Players Theatrics opens its new home at Venture Hall with the cult horror-comedy. The first few rows are the "Splatter Zone," so wear old clothes or sit farther back.
🎸 Michael Franti Trio: Heartstrings & Dynamite
Fri, Oct. 23 | Doors 7PM, show 8PM | Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE | $60–$82
An intimate trio night with the Spearhead frontman. $1 from every ticket goes to Do It For The Love, the wish-granting nonprofit he co-founded.
🌳 Plant Trees with Friends of Trees
Sat, Oct. 24 | 9AM–1PM | Wendy Kroger Park, South Salem | Free, registration required
This week's show-up opportunity, and the only Salem planting on Friends of Trees' fall calendar. Grab gloves, dig in with neighbors and leave a little more shade behind.
🐦 Columbia Canary Club Bird Show & Sale
Sat, Oct. 24 | Show 9AM–3:30PM, sale 10AM–3PM | Cascade Hall, Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St NE | Parking $10
The 56th annual show fills a hall with judged canaries, finches, softbills and small hookbills. It's family-friendly and a fun one for curious kids.
🚒 Antique Fire Trucks Show
Sat, Oct. 24 | 10AM–4PM | Mt. Angel Fire Station, 300 Monroe St, Mt. Angel | Free
Antique fire trucks, military vehicles and classic cars, plus a fire safety talk. Make a morning of it in Mt. Angel, then swing by the Saalfeld House museum, free from 11AM to 2PM.
🍏 Bauman's Cider Festival
Sat, Oct. 24 & Sun, Oct. 25 | 11AM–4PM, last pour 3:45PM | Bauman's, 12989 Howell Prairie Rd NE, Gervais | $30, 21+
Your ticket covers festival admission, a tasting glass and five tasting tickets for ciders and local beers. Vote for the People's Choice cider, and leashed dogs are welcome.
🏈 WOU Homecoming: Wolves vs. Eastern New Mexico
Sat, Oct. 24 | 1:05PM | McArthur Field, Western Oregon University, Monmouth | See site for tickets
Homecoming weekend in Monmouth, just west of Salem. A college football Saturday is a fun excuse for a short drive and a small-town afternoon.
☕ Free Death Café
Sat, Oct. 24 | 2PM–4PM | Salem Multicultural Institute, 390 Liberty St SE | Free, sign up ahead
An open, agenda-free conversation about death over tea and sweets, led by end-of-life doula Lucia LaNasa. It's not grief counseling, just curious people talking.
🪮 The History & Artistry of Victorian Hairwork
Sat, Oct. 24 | 3PM–4PM | Deepwood Museum & Gardens, 1116 Mission St SE | $15, members free with registration
Historian and hairwork artist Diane Irby explains how Victorians turned human hair into lasting keepsakes, and what the practice meant in women's lives. Note: there are several steps up to the front door.
🕯️ Spooky History Tour at Newell Pioneer Village
Sat, Oct. 24 | 6:30PM & 8:30PM | Newell Pioneer Village, 8089 Champoeg Rd NE, St. Paul | $21, advance tickets required
A guided ghost walk through a historic pioneer village near Champoeg, with local legends and a look at ghost-hunting gear in action.
🤠 Lyle Lovett and his Small Large Band
Sat, Oct. 24 | Doors 6:30PM, show 7:30PM | Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE | See site for tickets
The Texas songwriter and his band bring their mix of country, swing, folk and gospel to the Elsinore. A classic Saturday night out.
🍬 Halloween Re-Engineered at Gilbert House
Sun, Oct. 25 | 10AM–1PM, members 9AM | Gilbert House Children's Museum, 116 Marion St NE | $26 non-members (includes admission), $8 members
Indoor trick-or-treating through three historic houses, plus a Haunted Erector Set Maze, a candy catapult build, dry-ice science and slime to take home. Every ticket comes with hot chocolate.
🌍 Talk: Sheila Grudem on Helping People in Need
Sun, Oct. 25 | 4PM–6PM | Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3737 Liberty Rd S | Free
A former UN World Food Programme director with 30 years in disaster relief and refugee work talks about disaster preparedness and supporting your own community. Light refreshments provided.
🌼 Día de los Muertos Community Ofrenda
Tue, Oct. 27 | 5:30PM | Salem Multicultural Institute, 390 Liberty St SE | Free
Lady Luna, Sanadora, presents a community ofrenda and shares Michoacán and Purépecha traditions. Bring a copy of a photo, a name or a small memento of a loved one. Pan de muerto is served.
👻 Amy Bruni: Walking with Ghosts
Tue, Oct. 27 | Doors 6:30PM, show 7:30PM | Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE | From $36
The paranormal TV host digs into the real hauntings behind The Conjuring, The Shining and The Amityville Horror. Get there early to see her mini museum of haunted artifacts.
🍎 Brew Week: Teacher Appreciation Night
Thu, Oct. 29 | 7PM–10PM | Xicha Brewing, 2195 Hyacinth St NE | Free to attend
Live band karaoke with former teacher Jon Chinburg. Buy a drink token and hand it to a teacher. It's the easiest thank-you you'll give all year.
🔁 This Week's Regulars
Same time, every week. Pick one and make it your thing.
Sat | Salem Saturday Market | Opens 9AM | 865 Marion St NE | Free entry | Last two markets: Oct. 24 & 31
Tue | Free Tuesday at Hallie Ford Museum of Art | Noon–5PM | 700 State St
Wed & Fri | Library storytimes | Preschool 10:15AM, Infant/Toddler 11AM | Salem Public Library | Free
Through Nov. 9 | Smaller by Design art quilt show | Grand Hotel lobby, 201 Liberty St SE | Free, vote for your favorite
Through Nov. 20 | What Remains: Death Traditions Around the World | World Beat Gallery, 390 Liberty St SE
Through Dec. 31 | Textilezzz: The Fabric of Sleep | Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St SE
📌 Save the Date
Fri, Oct. 30 | Hitchcock's The Birds (1963) | 7PM | Elsinore Theatre
Fri, Oct. 30 | Halloween Costume Contest Skate Night | Traveling Wheelz, 1335 Madison St NE
Fri, Nov. 6 | The Fab Four: Beatles' A Hard Day's Night | 7:30PM | Elsinore Theatre | From $36
Fri, Nov. 6–Sun, Nov. 8 | Jurassic Quest | Jackman Long Building, Oregon State Fairgrounds
Sat, Dec. 5 | Andy Grammer: Greater Than Pt. II | 7:30PM | Elsinore Theatre | From $46
🏛️ From the City of Salem
Free and mostly family-friendly, courtesy of the folks at City Hall, Salem Fire, Salem Police, the library and Parks & Rec.
🚒 Fire Station 11 Open House
Sat, Oct. 24 | 9AM–Noon | Station 11, 1979 Orchard Heights Rd NW | Free
Climb on fire trucks, meet the crew and grab fire prevention materials for the house. Kids can enter a coloring contest to win a custom Salem Fire water bottle.
🎃 Frightfully Fun Run/Walk
Sat, Oct. 24 | Starts 8:45AM–9:15AM | Minto-Brown Island Park, 2200 Minto Island Rd SE | 1K/3K $6, 5K $10
Parks & Rec's costumed 1K, 3K and 5K through Minto-Brown. Strollers and leashed dogs welcome, and bibs are available on race day.
🍯 Winnie the Pooh Party
Sat, Oct. 24 | 11AM–Noon | Main Library Story Room, 585 Liberty St SE | Free, ages 3–5
Winnie the Pooh turns 100 this year. Preschoolers and their grown-ups celebrate with games and activities straight out of the Hundred Acre Wood.
👮 Halloween Dress Rehearsal at Salem Police
Sat, Oct. 24 | 3PM–5PM | Salem Police Station, 333 Division St NE | Free
Kids wear their costumes a week early and get a safety run-through from officers: costume visibility, crossing streets and what to do at the door. Partner and specialty displays, too.
🕯️ EOCIL Marion County Introduction & Resource Summit
Tue, Oct. 27 | 9AM–2PM | Family YMCA of Marion & Polk Counties, 685 Court St NE | Free
The Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living is introducing itself to Marion County. Meet the team and learn about services and community connections open to everyone.
🎭 Night of Stories by Teatro Milagro
Thu, Oct. 29 | 11AM–1PM | Loucks Auditorium, 585 Liberty St SE | Free
Teatro Milagro performs the puppet play Autorretrato de Fridita (in English with some Spanish), with community partners, a children's book raffle and a craft where kids draw loved ones for a Día de los Muertos ofrenda.
🦉 Park After Dark (Ages 9–12)
Thu, Oct. 29 | 6PM–8PM | Minto-Brown Island Park | Registration required
A Park Ranger talk about Minto-Brown's animals, then a guided 2-mile walk on soft trails as it gets dark to listen for the nightlife. Rain or shine, so dress for mud. Parents who want to join should register as a family. There's also a shorter half-mile option that ends with sitting and listening, so bring something to sit on.
🍪 Trick-or-Treat at Deepwood
Sat, Oct. 31 | 3PM–6PM | Deepwood Museum & Gardens, 1116 Mission St SE | Free
Beyond the candy at the front door: a pumpkin sugar cookie from Roth's, lawn games, storytelling, a decorated Solarium for photos and a free self-guided tour of the Victorian home's first floor. Made possible by City of Salem TOT funding.
📌 City Save the Dates
Thu, Nov. 12 | Stop the Bleed Training with Marion County CERT | 6PM | Salem Fire Station 6, 2740 25th St SE | Free, email [email protected] to register
Sat, Nov. 21 | Turkey Trot Fun Run/Walk | Riverfront Park | 1K $6, 5K $10, 10K $17
Sat, Dec. 5 | Jingle Bell 3K & 5K Relay | Riverfront Park | 3K $6, 5K relay $10 per team
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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,
Jacob