Are you traveling to downtown Salem this summer for a meeting, convention or social event? Whatever it is that brings you here to Oregon's capital city, we're glad to have you and hope you can find some downtime to get out and explore the unique destinations and events that make our wonderful city “the most Oregon part of Oregon” (see #salemismopo to find out what that means). Here's a roundup of fun fairs and festivals our friends at Travel Salem compiled to help you make the most out of your time here in Downtown Salem this summer. SUMMER EVENTS, FAIRS & FESTIVALS NEAR DOWNTOWN SALEM First Wednesday-Businesses throughout downtown Salem will host special events on the first Wednesday of each month from June to September, including live music, street vendors and family-friendly activities. On Your Feet Friday- Walk or run through downtown Salem at “On Your Feet Friday” on the second Friday of each month, May through September. Along the way, stop at eight checkpoints to discover local businesses and attractions. World Beat Festival- Immerse yourself in the music, dance, food and traditions of more than 70 nations and cultures at the World Beat Festival. The festival, held in Salem's Riverfront Park on June 28-30, will feature performances, vendors and children's activities. Cherryfest NW-'Eat, drink and be cherry” at Cherryfest NW on July 4-7 at Salem's Riverfront Park. This event features more than 80 microbrews and ciders, a variety of food vendors, Fourth of July fireworks and activities for the entire family. The festival will offer free admission on July 4 and July 7. 12th Annual Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Patriotic Tribute Baseball Game -'Honoring the Youth of Military Families' The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Baseball Team is honoring military youth this year for the Patriotic Tribute game on Thursday, July 4th at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer, OR. They are looking for military youth who would like to attend the game and get recognized during the pre-game festivities on the field. For all youth who participate in the recognition, the entire immediate family receives free tickets to the game and fireworks show after. Open to all military youth ages 0-18. Salem Movies in the Park- Watch family-friendly movies on a 24-foot screen at Riverfront Park, in downtown Salem, on July 13, 20 and 27 and Aug. 3 and 24. The showings are free to attend, but donations are accepted. Marion County Fair- This traditional county fair features a carnival, rodeo, 4H/FFA student exhibits, vendors and big-name entertainment. The fair is July 11-14 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem. Tickets are required. Salem Summer Brewfest (Rock The Cask Bar 2019)-Santiam Brewing is hosting Salem Summer Brewfest on July 13 with guest breweries and live music. 70th Annual Salem Art Fair & Festival-Just blocks from downtown Salem, you'll find more than 200 artists, live performances, craft beer and wine and art activities at the Salem Art Fair & Festival. The 70th annual festival will be held at Bush's Pasture Park on July 19-21. Oregon State Fair-The Oregon State Fair is Aug. 23–Sept. 2 in Salem. The fair will host big-name entertainment, dozens of competitions, livestock, carnival rides and so much more. Tickets are required. Water Lantern Festival-The Water Lantern Festival will take place on July 27 at Salem's Cascades Gateway City Park. Your ticket includes a floating lantern and access to the festival. The lanterns are 100% eco-friendly and will be cleaned up after the event. Englewood Forest Festival- The Englewood Forest Festival will highlight local artists, musicians and businesses at Englewood Park, in Salem, on Aug. 10. The event is free to attend. Fish Fest- Fish Fest, Oregon's largest Christian music festival, returns to Salem's Riverfront Park on August 17. Tickets are required. Great Salem Race- Make your way through Salem by solving clues and completing challenges at the Great Salem Race on Aug. 17. This family-friendly event will cover approximately three to five miles on foot and will have an after-party with food and music. Multicultural Day at the Capitol- Celebrate Oregon's diverse cultural heritage at the Oregon State Capitol on Aug. 10. SUMMER FESTIVALS JUST OUTSIDE OF SALEM Canterbury Renaissance Faire- Enjoy the splendor of more simple times at the Canterbury Renaissance Faire, in Silverton, on July 20-21 and 27-28. The event will have four stages of continuous entertainment with singers, dancers, jugglers and period demonstrations, including blacksmithing, archery and sword fighting. Tickets are required. Jefferson Mint Festival & Frog Jump- The Jefferson Mint Festival & Frog Jump returns to Jefferson, Oregon, on July 19-20. Saint Benedict Festival- The annual St. Benedict Festival at Mount Angel Abbey, in Mt. Angel, Oregon, will be held July 13. As the monks share their stories about Benedictine life, there will be yard games, Benedictine Brewery beers, Willamette Valley wines and a picnic lunch to enjoy. The event is for ages 21 and older. Santiam SummerFest- Attend an old-fashioned street fair in Stayton, Oregon, on July 27. There will be children's activities, local brews and wine and an art show. The Great Oregon Steam Up- The Great Oregon Steam-Up is July 27-28 and Aug. 3-4 at Powerland Heritage Park in Brooks. This annual event will have trolley rides, a flea market, tractor pulls and machinery demos. Tickets are required, with children ages 12 and under receiving free admission. Polk County Fair- The Polk County Fair is Aug. 8-10 in Rickreall. This classic county fair will have musicians, a rodeo, livestock and children's activities. Aumsville Corn Festival- The 2019 Aumsville Corn Festival is Aug. 17 at Porter-Boone Park. There will be a corn eating contest, live entertainment and a parade. Aurora Colony Days- Experience Old Aurora's famous German hospitality Aug. 9-10 with a family-friendly beer garden, food and music at Aurora Colony Days. There will be a parade, 5k run/walk, car show and market. The Old Aurora Colony Museum will also offer free admission Aug. 10. Fiesta Mexicana- A family-friendly celebration of Hispanic culture, Woodburn's annual Fiesta Mexicana is August 2-4. Held at Legion Park, there will be delicious food, entertainment, classic cars, a parade and soccer tournament. Grand Ronde Contest Powwow- The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's Annual Contest Powwow is Aug. 16-18 at the Uyxat Powwow Grounds in Grand Ronde. Homer Davenport Community Festival- The annual Homer Davenport Community Festival, named after the famous cartoonist, is Aug. 2-4 in Silverton. The festival will host a wide range of family-friendly activities, including an arts and crafts fair, tennis tournament and cartoon contest. Molly Mo's Summer Antique Faire- Find antique, vintage, repurposed and handcrafted goods at Molly Mo's Summer Antique Faire on Aug. 9-10 at Union Hill Grange in Sublimity. Located just off Highway 214, there will also be down-home cooking, live entertainment and a beer and wine tent. Image of Salem, Oregon by M.O. Stevens licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
