Blog Posts
- Celebrate History and Architecture with Us April 26, 2024
- April in Albany March 31, 2024
- Spring over to Albany February 28, 2024
- 2024 Photo Contest February 7, 2024
- Love from Albany! January 30, 2024
Explore Albany, Discover your story
Welcome to AVA’s monthly calendar of events. Take a peek and plan your stay-cation or your next visit to our region. The city’s most notable annual events include historic home tours, outdoor summer concerts and movies under the stars, and the Northwest Art and Air Festival.
*Note for event organizers: If you’d like to have your event listed on the AVA calendar, head over to our contact page and submit your event to us.
Sixth Annual Ornament Hunt and Sweepstakes in the Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley Visitors Association announces its annual ornament hunt, encouraging participants to connect with public lands through the spirit of holiday cheer!
The Willamette Valley Visitors Association (WVVA) will launch its sixth annual ornament hunt throughout the region and on non-wilderness trails of the Willamette National Forest and the Umpqua National Forest.
Beginning November 17, 2023, two hundred locally crafted wooden ornaments will be hidden
along non-wilderness trails in the following ranger districts: Detroit, Sweet Home, McKenzie
River and Middle Fork on the Willamette National Forest and Cottage Grove on the Umpqua
National Forest for lucky hikers to find.
This year’s ornaments will feature an agricultural scene that highlights the unique wine-growing
areas or AVAs throughout the Willamette Valley, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the
Willamette Valley AVA designation. Each ornament found includes instructions on how to
register to win the Grand Prize: a two-day getaway to the Willamette Valley.
For the first year ever, WVVA is offering a limited number of additional ornaments that will be
available for purchase at four ranger stations throughout the forest. All proceeds will benefit
Cascade Volunteers — a nonprofit organization that supports trail keepers and trail
maintenance. Learn more at https://cascadevols.org/.
Not only does the Ornament Hunt provide the perfect hiking opportunity, but participants are
also encouraged to go Christmas tree hunting. Be sure to register for a permit before taking
home the perfect tree, straight from the Willamette National Forest. More at
https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/ebd4facc-ec56-11ea-bcba-fa43c1aabce3
Participants venturing into the forest are asked to abide by Take Care Out There and Leave No
Trace Principles. WVVA and the forest service encourage hikers to plan ahead and take a look
at the winter safety tips.
The Willamette Valley Visitors Association website, https://willamettevalley.org/ornament, will
serve as the hub for ornament hunt details and hiking planning tips. It is also where you can
register your ornament to win the grand prize, a weekend getaway to the Willamette Valley. You
can also find trail information and hints throughout December on the following social channels:
@gowillamettevalley and @willametteNF.
WVVA encourages sharing adventures using #FindYourOrnament, #FindYourTrail, #IwonderWV,
#pnwonderland, #willamettenationalforest. The Willamette Valley Visitors Association abides by
Leave No Trace Principles; once the contest closes, all remaining ornaments will be picked up
by U.S. Forest Service professionals.
About Willamette Valley Visitors Association
Willamette Valley Visitors Association (WVVA) is a private, non-profit organization that supports
travel and tourism in the Willamette Valley – Oregon Wine Country.
About the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service is a Federal agency that manages 193 million acres of public lands in
national forests and grasslands.
Fresh and local produce, baked goods, meat, flowers and more! For information visit Albany, OR Farmers’ Market
NACC Christmas Bazaar 2023 will be FRIDAY, November 17th, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm AND SATURDAY, November 18th 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Saturday’s event will be no charge! We will have around 90 vendors offering a huge variety of high quality treasures. There will be delicious breakfast and lunch offered, along with a huge bake sale, fabulous raffle area, and coffee bar.
This event is a fundraiser to support the NACC women’s ministry program
The Kids Create classes are open to everyone in the community. They have limited space, so call and sign up as soon as possible at 541-497-0386.
If a class fills up, there’s always a possibility that they will create another class later in the day. If you have an elementary-age or younger child, please stay with your child and help supervise them.
These classes and workshops have been made possible through a grant from the Linn County Cultural Coalition.
Visit the Art Guild’s website for more information.
Delfino Fine Wines invites you in for a special week of Thanksgiving Food and Wine Celebrations!
Date: November 14th to 18th
Location: Delfino Fine Wines Tasting Room
COMPLIMENTARY Thanksgiving-themed culinary feast with expertly recommended wine pairings. A delectable buffet will be prepared daily, featuring dishes that beautifully complement their Oregon and Italian wines. Enjoy pairings from the traditional to the innovative! This event is their way of saying “thank you” for being part of the Delfino Fine Wines family.
SPECIAL OFFERS: 25% off for Members, and 20% off for Non-members on almost every product in the shop.
Reservations are preferable – Please call/text Emilia 301-520-4620 and be sure to specify your preferred date and time.
Photo: Oregon Wine Country, Albany by Hannah Darling
Food, fun, and darts at the Dixie Creek Saloon in Tangent! $10 per entry.
Menu: https://dixiecreeksaloon.com/dixie_creek_menu.html
32994 Hwy 99 E, Tangent, OR, United States, Oregon