Harvest time is a great time to have fun

Fall is just around the corner and harvest activities will be ripe for the picking for those with plans for fun and adventure.

COVID-19 restrictions may remain in effect for some sites and events, so call ahead where possible, check the Calendar of Events at the Albany Visitors Association website, albanyvisitors.com, or call the AVA at 541-928-0911. Keep an eye on the AVA Calendar of Events for changes and any new events or activities.

Here are a few harvest events and places to visit you can enjoy with your family this fall:

Thompson’s Mills cider pressings
The mill, located in Shedd, will hold its cider pressing events after a year off due to COVID-19 restrictions. Come and help press the apples, then take home some delicious, fresh cider. And while you are there, take some time to tour Thompsons Mills, the last operating water-powered mill in Oregon. Dates are Sept. 18, Oct. 9 and Oct. 30. Times are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

Farmers Markets
Fresh produce, fish, meat, and other tasty fare are available at several Farmers’ Market locations around the mid-valley. Albany’s is the oldest continuous market in Oregon and is open 9 am to 1 p.m. Saturdays through November. It is located at Fourth Avenue and Ellsworth Street next to City Hall. Visit the website here.

Also available are:
Corvallis Farmers Market: open 9 am-1 pm, NW First Street and NW Jackson Avenue
Lebanon Downtown Farmers’ Market: open 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays through October. Corner of Main and Grant streets.
Sweet Home Farmers’ Market: open 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through September; corner of 12^th Avenue and Kalmia Street.

Bridges, Bikes & Brews
This first-ever event, set in Scio on Saturday, Sept. 18, will include self-guided covered-bridge biking tours, guided van tours, live music, food trucks, local breweries and more. Proceeds will go toward new Fairgrounds Event Center, to be built in or near Scio. Check-in for the bike event will be 7:30 to 9 a.m., and fairgrounds activities begin at 10 a.m. Go here for more information.

Albany Scottish Festival & Highland Games
Don’t miss the first annual Albany Scottish Festival & Highland Games for a day of food, music, and heavy-throwing events on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Timber-Linn Memorial Park. For information visit Facebook Albany Scottish Festival.

Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail

Find a bounty of businesses with harvest ideas for the fall in the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail brochure, which is available at the Albany Visitors Association, or on its website at albanyvisitors.com. Find restaurants featuring locally sourced food – such as Sybaris or Frankies – or visit a farm to take advantage of seasonal produce, fun activities or even stay the night. And don’t forget to peruse our long list of vineyards for an afternoon of tasting in the beautiful countryside or locate a cozy brewpub to enjoy finely crafted beers and the tasty menu items many of them have to offer. Can’t decide what to do? Then use one of three itineraries provided in the brochure to get a few interesting ideas on how to spend the day around our little corner of the Willamette Valley.

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