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What’s Up Salem Besties!
Lot’s of good stuff happening in Salem right now.
My crew at STAC met last weekend and did a quick clean up of a couple of alleys downtown. It’s amazing what a small group of people can accomplish in 90 minutes. The next meeting will be bigger, click here to follow them on IG and stay updated on the next event.
I had 3 conversations with people last week who were struggling finding locations and vendors for events they were planning. So we decided launched our Salem Event Vendor Directory. If you are a vendor and get signed up by August 28, we will include you in our email going out next Sunday as a recommended vendor, as long as you are trustworthy!
Our $50 giveaways on Instagram have been taking off. Makes me wonder if we should do something similar in our newsletters?
Our AWARD SHOW is happening October 3 at the Grand Theater. We will be announcing the award winners this week. We still have a few sponsorship opportunities available. If you are interested just reply to this email and let me know.
Should we start doing giveaways in our newsletters?
Was this email forwarded to you by a friend?
Another "trust fall" team-building event that makes everyone cringe? Your coworkers deserve better than forced corporate bonding. (And so do you…)
Oregon Axe Throwing gets it. Real team building happens when people are having actual fun, not pretending to enjoy icebreakers. Located at 700 High Street NE, it's where Salem businesses go to build teams that actually want to work together.
Why your team will thank you:
90-minute sessions with expert coaching—nobody gets hurt, everybody gets competitive
Private cube options for up to 12 people, or join the regular crowd for extra networking
New projection target games that turn strategy into sport
What's Happening Salem readers get 20% off advance bookings when they use code ‘WHS’
Build better teams. Have real fun. Lead by example.
Salem will continue exploring commercial airline agreements as it nears TSA deadline
Salem leaders have 90 days to secure a new commercial airline or risk losing TSA screening equipment at the city’s airport. The warning comes after Avelo Airlines, which had operated 820 flights carrying about 90,000 passengers since October 2023, ended service earlier this month. Avelo’s operations brought an estimated $32.5 million in visitor spending, but also left the city facing questions about the airport’s financial future.
If no airline signs a letter of intent by Nov. 10, TSA could remove its screening devices, which have already been reassigned to Portland and Eugene. Even if service resumes, city projections show the airport fund trending negative within five years without a significant increase in flights.
City officials say options include attracting a new carrier or reverting back to general aviation only—though that would leave the airport understaffed and under-resourced. Salem City Council voted to continue pursuing agreements with other airlines, with consultants noting Salem filled seats at “above average” rates compared to other West Coast markets. (KOIN6)
Here’s what’s happening this weekend in beautiful Salem, Oregon
🌟 Two HUGE events are happening THIS WEEKEND in Salem 🌟
Be there or be square
🎡 Oregon State Fair Opening Weekend
📍 Oregon State Fairgrounds
🗓 Friday, August 22 – Sunday, August 24
🍗 Fair food, 🎠 carnival rides, 🐮 livestock shows, 🎶 free live music from hit artists, 💥 nightly drone shows (9:50PM–10:00PM), 🎧 DJs, motorsports, and more!
🎟️ Friday only: All tickets just $5 (on-site purchases only).
Experience everything the fair has to offer, maybe even two or three times.
🎸 Capital City Retro Fest
📍 Riverfront Park – Gerry Frank Amphitheater
🗓 Friday, August 22 – Sunday, August 24
An all-ages, 3-night concert series featuring tribute bands to Nirvana, Beastie Boys, Fleetwood Mac, ABBA, Led Zeppelin, and more.
🍻 Central bar for 21+ & a variety of food carts for all. Kids 12 & under get in FREE!
Thursday, August 21
😸 Beer & Kittens @ Santiam Brewing • 5:30PM–7:30PM
⚾ Campesinos de Salem Keizer vs. Portland Mavericks @ Roto-Rooter Park • 6:00PM
🎤 Big State Karaoke @ Historic Grand Theatre • 7:00PM
🎶 CAAKES Laughs and Lyrics @ Unknown Venue • 7:30PM • FREE 21+
Friday, August 22
🎡 Motor Mania: Freestyle Addiction @ Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion • 4:00PM & 6:30PM
🧘 Yoga + Wine @ Willamette Valley Vineyards • 6:00PM–7:00PM
⚾ Mavericks League Legends Night: Mike Cameron – Salem-Keizer Volcanoes vs.Salem Senators @ Roto-Rooter Park • 6:00PM • FREE autographs/photos!
🎤 Glow Party & Talent Show hosted by RiRi Calienté @ Southside Speakeasy • 7:00PM
🎤 RETROFEST Jar of Lies: a tribute to Alice In Chains @ Riverfront Park • 7:00PM
🎸 The All-American Rejects (FREE concert) @ Oregon State Fairgrounds L.B. Day Amphitheater • 7:30PM
🎸 RETROFEST Nevermind: A tribute to Nirvana @ Riverfront Park • 8:20PM
🎤 RETROFEST Grand Royale: a Beastie Boys tribute @ Riverfront Park • 9:40PM
🎧 Silent Disco: Retro Fest After Party @ Riverfront Park
Saturday, August 23
💃 Salsa Classes @ 630 Hood St NE • 1:00PM–4:00PM
⚾ Salem-Keizer Volcanoes vs. Campesinos de Salem Keizer @ Roto-Rooter Park • 1:00PM
⚡ Motor Mania: Tuff Truck Series @ Oregon State Fairgrounds • 2:00PM
⚾ Salem Senators vs. Portland Mavericks @ Roto-Rooter Park • 6:00PM
🎸 RETROFEST Ramble On: a Led Zeppelin tribute @ Riverfront Park • 7:00PM
🎤 Russell Dickerson with Niko Moon (FREE concert) @ Oregon State Fairgrounds • 7:30PM
⚡ RETROFEST Shoot to Thrill: an AC/DC tribute @ Riverfront Park • 8:20PM
🎸 RETROFEST Stone in Love: a Journey tribute @ Riverfront Park • 9:40PM
🎧 Silent Disco: Retro Fest After Party @ Riverfront Park
Sunday, August 24
🧘 Yoga + Wine @ Coria Estates • 10:30AM–11:30AM
⚡ Motor Mania: Tuff Truck Series @ Oregon State Fairgrounds • 2:00PM
🎶 RETROFEST Band After Midnight: an ABBA tribute @ Riverfront Park • 5:00PM
🍷Sparkling Wine Release Party @ St. Innocent Winery • 1:30 PM
⚾ Salem Senators vs. Campesinos de Salem Keizer @ Roto-Rooter Park • 5:03PM
🦅 RETROFEST Eagle Eyes: an Eagles tribute @ Riverfront Park • 6:20PM
💃 Queer Salsa Nights @ Fork Forty Food Hall • 7:00PM–10:00PM
🎤 Sean Paul (FREE concert) @ Oregon State Fairgrounds • 7:30PM
🎶 RETROFEST Taken by the Sky: a Fleetwood Mac tribute @ Riverfront Park • 7:40PM
Monday, August 25
🎤 Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening (FREE concert) @ Oregon State Fairgrounds • 7:30PM
Thursday, August 28
☕ Salem Emerging Leaders Coffee Social @ Salem Withnell Family YMCA • 8:30AM–10:00AM • FREE
🎸 Cheap Trick (FREE concert) @ Oregon State Fairgrounds • 7:00PM
Introducing: Photo of the week!
🌴 Photo of the Week: Summer Vacay Edition 📸
All August long, we’re celebrating summer through your lens.
Each week through August, we’ll feature two dreamy snapshots:
✨ One landscape or scenery pic (think sunsets, beaches, trails…)
✨ One with people living their best summer lives (pool days, picnics, road trips, you name it!)
☀️ Send your favorite vacation vibes to [email protected]
Include your name, a short caption, and where it was taken.
Let’s show off how Salem does summer. 😎
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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,
Ernie