If you're looking for fun things to do in Salem, Oregon this Summer, there's a whole lot to choose from! From parks and fairs, to historical events, markets, and a hall of fame rodeo, there's sure to be something for everybody! #1: Fairs and Carnivals The Oregon State Fair Is on August 23rd-September 2nd. You'll find it at the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center, located at 2330 17th St NE in Salem. This long standing tradition has something for everybody, including a carnival, food, family fun zone, vendors, exhibits, music, and more! It has everything you'd expect from a State Fair event! The Fairgrounds and the City of Salem are also teaming up to sponsor a big 4th of July event, so if it's an Independence Day Celebration you're looking for, you won't want to miss the spectacular 4th of July Fireworks, along with family fun activities, music, food, and more that this event offers. See the website here for event schedules and ticket information for both of these events at the Fairgrounds. If you can't wait till the end of the summer for some great fair and carnival entertainment, you can catch the Marion County Fair on July 11th-14th. It's also held at the Fairgrounds at 2330 17th St NE in Salem. The Barns will be full of animals and exhibits along with carnival rides, food, live music, and more. See their website here for schedule of events and ticket info. #2: St. Paul Rodeo Just 30 minutes from Salem in the small town of St. Paul, you can find an event as patriotic as America itself! The St. Paul Rodeo began in 1935 and has been a 4th of July tradition for over 80 years! In 2023, it was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame! This little town has a 10,500-seat arena with its own Saloon and hosts this rodeo and carnival each July. So grab your cowboy boots and hat and head on over to this spectacular Rodeo event! Experience the fun and excitement of a professional rodeo with big prizes! Plus a parade, vendors, and all the sights you'd expect at a top notch rodeo! If a trail ride on horseback along the Willamette River and St. Paul Countryside is your style, be sure and sign up in advance, so you won't miss the fun! For more information on this event, check their website here. #3: The Great Oregon Steam Up Experience a bygone era where colossal steam-powered machines come alive. This is the 54th annual festival for this fascinating historical event, showcasing Oregon's rich industrial past. Celebrating International Harvester and Subsidiaries Equipment, on two weekends, July 27th-28th and August 3rd-4th. This family friendly 4 day festival is held on 62 acres at Powerland Heritage Park. If you're thinking this is just a bunch of tractors, think again! History comes alive with Steam Engines, Equipment, Cars, Trucks, Trolleys and more! There's Blacksmithing, logging and flour milling demonstrations, miniature train and trolley rides, kids activities, a swap meet, flea market, food vendors and food carts, music, and even a parade. There's so much going on at the Great Oregon Steam Up, we can't even list it all! So check the website here for a schedule of events and tickets. #4: Silver Falls State Park This is another short day trip from Salem, taking about a 30 minute scenic drive to what has been called, “the crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks System. Here you'll find more than 35 miles of back country trails for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. It's open year round and you can camp, picnic, walk the dog, and see the sights that will delight any nature lover's expectation of a perfect day! The waterfalls at this park are the main attraction but getting to them is more than half the fun! If horseback riding is your thing, you might want to check out the Howard Creek Horse Camp. It's open from May to September and has 5 campsites with corrals for up to four horses, as well as a larger group site. Over 20 miles of wide, scenic, horse-friendly trails offer beautiful, peaceful, forest scenery. And as you might imagine for a place like this, reservations are required. For more information on camping with your horses, check out this informative site here. The awe inspiring beauty of this park is a “must see” for anyone visiting this area of Oregon. Check out their website here for all the details to know before you go! #5: Salem's Public Park System If staying a little closer to town works better for you, there are plenty of parks to see right here in Salem. Salem has 90 parks, with open fields and plenty of recreation opportunities. Public parks are here for you to enjoy. Play, relax or appreciate nature in Salem's many parks throughout the city. The very first city park in Salem, Englewood Park, hosts the Englewood Forest Festival on August 10th. Their information can be found here. More info on Salem Parks is on their website here. #6: Salem Community Markets Summer wouldn't be complete without visiting the local markets that bring us the delicious flavors of the season! Salem Community Market celebrates 26 years this summer! Since starting in 1998, they have grown to be one of the largest market operations in the State of Oregon and provide ample opportunities to reap the bounty of the summer harvest. Local produce, flowers, meat and dairy products, authentic artisan food and crafts await you at your nearest Community Market in Salem! The Saturday Market, the Monday Hospital Market, the Wednesday Chemeketa Market and the Thursday W. Salem Farmers Market are open all summer. Come and see what local goodies are waiting for you. All of the dates and locations of the Community Markets can be found on their website here. There's always so much to do in Salem, Oregon. Music concerts, fun times at the Gilbert House, and browsing downtown shops are just a few more of the treasures you'll find in and around the city. So come on out and see what the community has waiting for you this summer!
