A September to Remember

The weather has chilled, the leaves are changing and kids are back to school, but we don’t have to be sad that summer is nearly over. In Albany, the weather has cooled down, but the skies are mostly blue and there are plenty of events in town to chase away the back-to-school blues. 

September 9 

Antiques in the Streets & Classic Car Show is a yearly event in Albany that you won’t want to miss. There will be over 50 street vendors selling unique treasures, and the Albany Antique Mall will have their sidewalk sale. When you finish shopping, tour over 100 amazing cars. Have lunch at one of downtown Albany’s fabulous restaurants or go organic and visit the Albany Farmers’ Market, which is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everything is within walking distance! The event takes place all day in Downtown Albany.

The annual .3K Albany Beer “Run” (yup, that’s 0.3K) starts at noon at Calapooia Brewery and ends at Deluxe Brewing. The beer garden opens at 11 a.m. Dedicated to the below-average athlete and weekend warrior in all of us, the “run” features a delicious Calapooia and Deluxe beer before and after, and there’s even a carb-loading station and other refreshments available. Register at omroadrace.org.

Cider Pressing at Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site is fun for the whole family. It is scheduled for three Saturdays this fall – September 23, October 14 and 28. The site is open free to the public from dawn to dusk every day, with cider pressing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on these dates. Fresh cider is available (limit one gallon per family) for your donation to Thompson’s Mills Preservation Society. There will be storytelling for the younger ones and mill-themed gifts are available. Docents will be on hand for Mill tours – pack a lunch and make a day of it! Call the Mill for additional information at 541-491-3611.

September 13

For History Bites at the Albany Regional Museum this month, there will be a Book Signing and Discussion with Jim Lindsay. Jim Lindsay, Corvallis resident and author of “The Sniper,” will be discussing his latest book and signing copies for attendees. History Bites starts at noon and is a free event. To explore the new exhibits, you will need to pay for museum admission, which is $5 for adults and teens, $3 for seniors, and free for members, children under 13, and active military/veterans. Light refreshments will be available.

September 23 

The Willamette Valley Symphony performance starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany Performing Arts Center, with a pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m. This concert will feature Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, “The New World Symphony,” and other pieces. They are continuing their Youth Passport Program, so all youth under 18 get in free, and one adult ticket is free with each youth. They are also introducing the Arts for All Program, where people can buy a $5 ticket if they present their Oregon Trail Card. Regular tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors. See willamettevalleysymphony.org.

September 29, 30 and October 1

The Heart of the Valley Fall Home and Garden Show is held at the Linn County Expo Center and has over 70 vendors with products and services for your home and garden needs. Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission. 

September 30 and October 1

Also at Linn County Expo Center, the RaSani Fair features independent holistic products and healthcare practitioners. They will hold a raffle benefiting Family Tree Relief Nursery, a nonprofit organization focusing on helping grow happy, healthy and strong families in Linn County. Admission is $5 per person per day. Tickets sold only at the door. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-to 5 p.m.

In and Around Albany in August

Forget the “mid-summer doldrums.” There are plenty of fun and exciting things to do during August in and around Albany!

From outdoor movies and concerts to festivals and any number of biking, hiking, camping and canoeing activities, you and your family can fill your days and nights with adventure.

The gem on this summer list is the Northwest Art & Air Festival, which runs Aug. 25-27 at Timber-Linn Memorial Park, with hot air balloons, art vendors, food vendors, a car show, concerts, a family zone with activities for the kids and a beer and wine garden for the grown-ups. The event is free, but parking is $10.

Get there early at 6:45 a.m. to see the balloons lift off. If you aren’t a morning person, come Friday evening for the Night Glow and watch the brilliantly colored balloons tower over the crowd, lighting up the night sky. For more information, visit Albany Parks & Recreation.

The same weekend, Infinite Air Center will be hosting Young Eagles airplane rides on Saturday. Flights will take off from Albany Municipal Airport. To find out more and register a child, visit YoungEaglesDay.org.

Here’s a few more activities to look forward to during August in Linn County. 

August 2 and August 9: Fun in the Park
This summer, visit a different neighborhood park for games and fun for kids of all ages! The program is sponsored by Albany Parks & Recreation and Takena Kiwanis of Albany. All are invited to find a bench or bring a blanket and enjoy some sun and time in our beautiful parks before heading home to work on a cool take-home craft kit. Up next is Doug Killin Park, 4990 Deer Run Ave. SW, on Wednesday, Aug. 2, then Swanson Park, 712 Jackson St. SE, on Wednesday, Aug. 9. Find out more at cityofalbany.net.

Aug. 3 and Aug. 10: River Rhythms 

Due to construction at Monteith Riverpark, the concert series has been temporarily moved to Timber-Linn Memorial Park. Enjoy the country a capella group Home Free on Aug. 3, then get ready to rock to the sounds of Foghat on Aug. 10. Food vendors begin serving at 5 p.m., followed by music at 7. For the full schedule, visit the City of Albany website at riverrhythms.org. There is a suggested donation of $1 to help cover costs, and you can participate in “Rock Out Against Hunger” this year, an effort to help those in need. Bring non-perishable and unopened cans and boxes of food to any of the River Rhythms concerts and put them in the donation barrels located at the front of the park. Collections also will be accepted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Aug. 12 at the Parks & Recreation counter in City Hall.

Aug. 4-6: Oregon Jamboree

The Oregon Jamboree is an exciting chance to see some fantastic musical acts while mingling with other fans in the beautiful Sankey Park venue. Headliners for this year’s festival include Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cody Johnson and Parker McCollum. This not-to-be-missed musical event boasts two stages and 25 shows over three days. The Jamboree offers a full festival atmosphere in the main venue and a more intimate concert experience on the second stage in Sankey Park. In addition to featured headline entertainment, this event hosts RV and tent camping, merchandise vendors, food booths, beer and wine gardens and a variety of other attractions. For ticket and other information, go to oregonjamboree.com.

Aug. 11: Movie by Moonlight

The results are in. And the winner is… The Princess Bride! Albany Downtown Association’s Promotion Committee will screen 1987 classic on Friday, August 11 in Downtown Albany. The movie was selected in a vote to celebrate the 20th season of downtown movies. With Monteith Riverpark under construction, just one movie will be shown this season. For a bit of nostalgia, the movie will be shown on the wall behind the Albany Eagles Lodge, where Movies by Moonlight was held for 11 years before moving to the park. The movie will start at dusk, around 8:55 pm. This year’s movie concessions include Pix Popcorn, ice cream novelties, candy, and sodas. Bring a receipt from a Downtown business for a chance to win a DVD of the movie or another prize. More information at albanydowntown.com.

August 13: Covered Bridge Bicycle Tour

Get your spokes a’ twirling! The Annual Covered Bridge Bicycle Tour is a premier one-day cycling event sponsored by the Mid Valley Bicycle Club and designed for all levels of biking interest and expertise. Explore the rural roads and, depending on which of the route options you choose, you’ll cross up to five historic covered bridges in the Mid-Willamette Valley. Rides vary from 25 to over 100 miles on quiet country roads and through several well-preserved historic covered bridges. For more information or to register, visit mvbc.com. 

August 17-20: Paddle Oregon 

This year’s trip will wind along 60-plus miles of river, beginning at Peoria Park and ending at Keizer Rapids Park. The tour will camp near Albany on Aug. 18! For more information and to view the full itinerary, visit paddleoregon.org.

August 18-26: Albany Civic Theater Presents “My Son Pinoccio Jr.”

Enjoy the classic tale of toymaker Geppetto’s little wooden puppet, this time from Geppetto’s perspective. The new musical features the classic songs, “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I’ve Got No Strings,” along with new tunes by Oscar winner and Grammy Award winning songwriter Stephen Schwartz. Evening shows will run August 18, 19, 25 and 26, with matinees Aug. 19 and 26. Visit the ACT website for ticket info at albanycivic.org.

August 19: Carnival at the Carousel

Step right up for fun as the Albany Historic Carousel & Museum celebrates its sixth anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 19 with this joyful and nostalgic fundraiser! There will be old-fashioned carnival games, crazy characters, face painting, balloon art, and more! This is fun for the whole family. For more information, visit the Carousel website at albanycarousel.com.

June Events in Albany

Three big events will shine during the month of June in Albany, with the Albany Regional
Museum reopening offering wonderful new exhibits, Through the Garden Gate Tour featuring
beautiful local gardens, and the inspirational Albany Pride Festival.

Albany Regional Museum

Join the Albany Regional Museum staff for the ribbon cutting as they present new exhibits to
the public for the first time, then take a tour and enjoy music and cake to celebrate. The
museum, 136 Lyon St. SW, recently renovated all of their exhibits and the grand reopening is
set for noon to 4 p.m., June 10.

The first exhibit you see as you enter is titled “Hub City,” which is about transportation. “We
got that name (Hub City) because of the importance that we held being a kind of shipping point
for all of Oregon for a while, because we had the railroad coming through…the riverboat
operation, (and the) logging industry,” said Keith Lohse, Executive Director of ARM. “And we
had the only wagon road that went west to east across the mountains.” There are other
exhibits about architecture, mercantiles, schools and more. You can also find some history
particular to the city like Albany’s historic Chinatown, which used to be where the museum now
resides, and the Timber Carnival that was held every year until 2001. “The Timber Carnival had
an impact in terms of being the premier timber event for the world for many, many years,” said
Lohse. Competitors came from as far away as Australia to compete!

Lohse is particularly proud of the new children’s area, which is themed around movement.
“There will be Derby cars that the kids will be able to climb into, a pinewood derby track they
will be able to race cars down, …and a magnet wall where everything can be rearranged,” said
Lohse.

For information, call the museum, 541-967-7122.

Through the Garden Gate Tour

It’s that time of year again when locals with a green thumb open their unique and artful gardens to inspire the rest of us. OSU Linn County Master Gardener Association is hosting its annual garden tour 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 17.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased in person at the Albany Visitor Association, 110 3rd
Ave. SE, at Urban Ag Supply, 456 2nd Ave. SW, or Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Center at 350
Hickory St. NW. Money raised from ticket sales supports gardening and pollinator education.

Albany Pride Festival

The Albany Pride Festival with be held in downtown Albany in front of the Linn County
Courthouse from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, June 24. Included in the activities will be a
rally, march, live performances, music, several booths, food, and other activities.

Please try to carpool, as parking will be limited near the event.

For more information about these and other events go the Events Calendar at
albanyvisitors.com, or call 541-928-0911.

Welcome to the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail

Over the last decade, knowing the source of our food and drink, and the makers who craft our brews (or the chefs who prepare our meals) has become increasingly important to travelers. Since Oregon’s Willamette Valley is central to growing and producing agricultural ingredients used by restaurateurs and other businesses and attractions, Albany Visitors Association partnered with Visit Corvallis and Travel Oregon to create the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail.

The Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail is a way for visitors to connect with the source of our agricultural bounty. Over 40 businesses are represented on the Trail, weaving their origin stories with personal experiences. You can spend several days building your itinerary as you pass through some of the most scenic countryside in Linn and Benton counties. Settle into a cabin at an actual working farm, help bottle feed baby lambs, pluck your own blueberries from the fields or indulge in a scrumptious farm-to-table dinner.

Here is a sampling of the Albany and Linn County Food Trail locations.

Farms

Midway Farms: As you approach the farm from Hwy. 20, you might see a milk cow grazing or seasonal flowers blooming near the little red barn that operates as a full-fledged cooperative farm market. What makes Midway unique is that it’s the only “all gluten-free farm” in the region. Buy eggs, baked goods, jams, pickles, meats, poultry and nursery plants straight from the purveyor. Midway operates children’s experience camps during the summer that can include learning how to harvest crops, gather eggs or milk a cow. 6980 NW Hwy 20, 541-740-6141.

Iron Water Ranch: A visit to this working fiber animal farm includes seasonal family-oriented events like bottle feeding baby lambs and educational workshops. The ranch produces beautifully dyed wool and fiber for craft, such as yarn for knitting and raw fiber for spinning or felting. The ranch is open daily by appointment. 35179 Riverside Drive SW, 541-979-5180.

Bryant Family Farm: No trip to Oregon would be complete without a visit to a blueberry farm, and we have the perfect family-friendly spot to experience blueberries fresh from the bush and straight into your mouth. You can pick them yourself or buy fresh plucked or frozen berries to take home. The farm is open Tuesday-Thursday peak season, June through August. There’s a picnic area and a kid’s play area on the farm. 35923 Bryant Dr. SW, 541-704-0677.

Eateries

Sybaris Bistro: The kitchen at this warm eclectic restaurant is run by Matt Bennet, a James Beard House featured chef. The menu changes monthly, taking advantage of fresh seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. Indulge in Oregon truffles, house-made elk sausages, rich chocolate flourless cake or other heavenly offerings. Stroll along First Ave. in the morning and you might catch a glimpse of Chef Matt outside smoking boar’s ribs or sausages on the Traeger. Reservations are highly recommended. 442 First Ave W. in downtown Albany, 541-928-8157.

Springhill Cellars Winery: A short 10-minute drive from downtown Albany, feast your eyes on the rural beauty surrounding Springhill’s perch atop a hill. The tasting room annex is part of a fully restored barn used for events including parties, weddings, Pilates classes, tours and Thanksgiving weekend’s annual Federweisser Festival. Picnic tables, fairy lights and a fire pit dot the grounds with views to the west and magnificent sunsets over the Coastal Mountain Range. The winery is family owned and operated, and uses the French method of barrel aging their Pinot varietals. Tastings can be scheduled by calling ahead or dropping in at the winery May through December, Friday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 2920 NW Scenic Drive, 541-928-1009.

Breweries, Distilleries and Spirits

Deluxe Brewing & Sinister Distilling: Grab a pint or a shot of their latest and enjoy a bite to eat from their food truck. This is a pet-friendly stop with outdoor/indoor informal seating. Take the tour and sample whiskeys, ales and lager. 635 NE Water Ave along the Willamette River, 541-928-7699.

Vivacity Fine Spirits and Calapooia Brewing: Order a fresh burger from the pub, take a tour and sample the vodka, gin, rum and brandy, plus a whole lot of craft brews on tap. The pub is family-friendly and there is an outdoor covered seating area as well. Listen to live music from their scheduled lineup. 140 Hill St NE, 541-928-1931.

Bakeries & Cafes

Bodhi Bakery Outlet: What’s better then the smell of fresh baked bread? Eating it straight out of the oven! Bodhi Bakery recently opened a new retail bakery outlet in downtown Albany where you can pick up fresh baked breads and pastry. In addition to their bakery line-up, they offer a wide variety of heat-and-serve prepared foods, coffee, espresso drinks and other tasty treats. See the full menu on their website. 315 Lyon St, 541-286-4734. 

Natural Sprinkles Co. Bakery: If you’re craving some dessert, downtown Albany’s farm-to-table bakery has unique, homemade baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth. Natural Sprinkles Co. has everything from scones and  breads to cupcakes and seasonally prepared specials. The bakery offers a myriad of gluten-free and vegan options, creating baked goods for every type of diet. If you loved their homemade, all-natural cupcake sprinkles, or just want to try them, they are available for order off of their website. 202 2nd Ave SW, 541-704-0445.

Artisan Products

Urban Ag Supply: This shop might look small from the street, but step inside and be prepared to wander through an amazing assortment of “rural meets urban” nirvana. Shop for locally crafted jewelry, garden ornaments and art, handmade soaps, lotions, balms, potted plants, ceramic planters, fertilizers and heirloom seeds. And that’s just a partial list of the products they keep in stock. There’s always something new from local artisans. Located just over the bridge at 456 Second Ave SW, 541-497-2988.

Experiences

Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site: If there is one “must see and do” on our trail, it’s a trip to Thompson’s Mills. Located about 25 minutes from Albany in Shedd, Thompson’s is a unique survivor of times past, chronicling 160 years of Oregon rural life. It is the last water-powered mill in the state, and its turbines can be seen in action on free tours. A water right that predates statehood produces the water flow that still runs the milling machines for demonstrations today.

During fall harvest time, the mill often operates a cider press, where you can participate in the process and take home freshly pressed apple cider. The mill and grounds are open from 9:00 to 4:00 daily. Free guided tours are offered whenever the mill is open — just drop in and check with the rangers. Group tours (10 or more people) are available but please call 541-491-3611 in advance to ensure adequate staffing.

The mill and grounds are open every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day.  There are no fees to visit. The main tour of the mill is accessible by ramps. The mill address is 32655 Boston Mill Drive, Shedd, OR 97377.

Farmers’ Market

Albany Farmers’ Market: The Albany Farmers’ Market is a great way to get a taste of all of the local shops, farms, and creators in Albany in one day. Open Saturday in April-November, the market is full of local products such as flowers, produce, meats, poultry, and organic goods. Catch some live music or check out an educational event while you stroll around the vendors’ tents and browse the local products. The market is located at the corner of Ellsworth Street SW and 4th Ave SW, 541-740-1542.

Additional Food Trail Locations

For more information on the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail and the full list of businesses included, request a free brochure from us at the AVA, 541-928-0911, or view here: Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail brochure (PDF). View detailed maps and itineraries at Visit Corvallis, our partner in the Food Trail Development. 

The Best of Fresh and Local

Want to buy local? These two publications will show you how! Take Root and Fresh & Local are great guides for sourcing local foods. Take Root has an associated cost, and you can subscribe to get it delivered twice a year. Visit takerootmagazine.com to subscribe or find out where to buy the magazine. Fresh & Local: Linn-Benton Guide to Sourcing Locally Grown Food is a free guide that provides information about farmers’ markets, farm stands, U-Picks, CSAs, and more. There is also a Guide to Sourcing Local Food in Lane County & Vicinity. 

You can view these magazines online or pick up FREE hard copies here at the Albany Visitors Association.

Take Root Online Edition

Fresh & Local: Linn-Benton Guide to Sourcing Locally Grown Food

More Places to Eat Farm Fresh

Not all area restaurants, bakeries, shops or coffee houses that use locally produced ingredients are listed in this section. Make sure to check out our restaurant directory or the free Albany Explorer App, available for download on Google Play or at the Apple App Store.

Images used in this post: Feature image at top of page, Lamb petting at Ironwater Ranch in Albany; Girls with garlic at Midway Farms in Albany; Sybaris Bistro truffle feast by AO Films in Albany; Deluxe and Sinister Brewing, in Albany; Honeybrine Market and Catering in Albany; Thompsons Mills State Heritage Site in Shedd; Take Root magazine cover by Debbie Duhn.

Let’s Head Outdoors for More Fun

In addition to the formal Food Trail Program, try a couple of these suggestions as the summer bounty increases. 

Wine Tasting

Albany is home to a region full of vineyards and wine tasting opportunities. Enjoy lunch at Sweet Red Wine Bistro, where you can order from local and international wines and sample great food and cheeses. After lunch, head to Springhill Cellars Winery, where the estate vineyard and winery are on the slopes of Springhill, a gentle hill not far from the banks of the Willamette River.

Just to the north of Albany is Willamette Valley Vineyards, one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in the mid-valley. Their tasting room is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. If you have more time to explore, try one of the Heart of Willamette Wineries–a collection of boutique wineries within 50 miles of Albany, producing memorable Oregon wines.

Bountiful Berries

One of the fabulous things Oregon is known for is our fruitful bounty. And in July, fresh berries are one of the commodities that bring visitors near and far to Albany and Linn County u-pick farms, roadside stands and farmers’ markets. Several area farms grow blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and (known for its humble Willamette Valley origins) the Marionberry.

The following farms could be the start of a great weekend itinerary to satisfy the berry lover in your family:

Midway Farms One of Albany’s agricultural gems, Midway is a bucolic organic farm store (and working farm) on Highway 20. As you drive toward Corvallis, its red barn peeks out from between shade trees and a riot of multi-colored flowers. The store is usually bursting with an eclectic mix of seasonal harvests—from green onions and sweet greens to fall potatoes, tomatoes and garlic.

Midway’s crowning glory of summer are their sweet succulent organic strawberries, blueberries and other seasonal fruit. The farm posts frequently on Facebook, so if you’re planning on making fresh jam, follow their page to find out when there are special sales on bulk berries. Depending on the bounty, Kapple may run a spontaneous jam-making sale.

Midway Farms is located at 6980 NW US Hwy. 20, and the farm store is open daily, including weekends, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can also snag their produce, flowers, fruits, eggs and meats at the Albany or Corvallis Farmers’ Market.

Bryant Family Farm A short five-minute drive into the Albany countryside and you can load up on the biggest juiciest blueberries in Linn County. This family owned venture features 19 different varieties of “no spray” blueberries. You can opt to pick your own or purchase fresh or frozen berries for all your culinary creations.

The farm features a family picnic area and restrooms, so you can bring your favorite hamper packed with goodies and rest between picking. The Bryant family purchased the farm about five years ago, carrying on the u-pick tradition of the former owners, Peter and Millie Romans. The Romans planted their first bushes in 1967.

If you are in hurry and don’t have time to pick yourself, you can order free delivery service of frozen berries (within Albany), any size order over five pounds at $2.25 per pound. Frozen blueberries still pack a nutritional punch and are delicious in muffins, pancakes, ice cream, smoothies, and jams.

The season at the farm runs from mid-June to the second week in August, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., dependent on fruit ripening, weather patterns, and crop availability. It’s usually best to check with the farm at 541-704-0677. Bryant Family Farm is located at 35923 Bryant Drive SW, Albany, Oregon.

Catch Sight of Wildlife

The Willamette Valley is a wonderful place to explore with a pair of binoculars—or just a keen pair of eyes. The mid-valley’s mild climate makes it the winter home for certain bird species, and the rivers, lakes and forests are teeming with life as well. The Willamette Valley Birding Trail is your best resource for birding in the area. Download the Santiam Loop section for a guide to spotting burrowing owl, Oregon Vesper Sparrow and other species native to the mid-valley area. If you look carefully while walking in grassy meadows in Linn and Benton counties, you might spot a Fender’s Blue Butterfly (PDF), a rare butterfly native only to the Willamette Valley.

The following spots should help you create your own itinerary of nature while you’re here:

• Talking Water Gardens on the northeast side of Albany is an engineered wetlands that is home to turtles, frogs, mink, beaver, and dozens of species of birds. Trails and viewing platforms are plentiful.
• Finley Wildlife Refuge, southwest of Albany, has locations on both sides of the Willamette River, in Linn and Benton counties. It is home to one of the area’s largest herds of Roosevelt elk.
• E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, west of Albany, is home to everything from beaver to bobcats, and hosts several threatened species, such as the Western pond turtle, sharp-tailed snake, and red-legged frog. The wildlife area also encompasses the remains of a former U.S. military base, and abandoned roads and old buildings are waiting to be explored at E.E. Wilson.