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Albany Visitors Association
122 Ferry St SW
Albany, OR 97321
PO Box 965
Phone:
541-928-0911
Newsletter
Explore Albany, Discover your story
Calendar
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.
Nov
17
Fri
Nov 17 – Dec 31 all-day
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.
Nov
27
Mon
Nov 27 – Dec 3 all-day
The Annual Festival of Wreaths Auction is a huge fundraiser for the carousel and an event we look forward to all year long!
You’re invited to stay in, curl up with some cocoa – or wine – and do some bidding with the trusted online auction platform, 32 Auctions.
Bidding will begin on November 27th at 9 AM and will close December 3rd at 7 PM.
Items will have pictures and descriptions online for you to browse or you can stop by the carousel Wednesday- Sunday during the auction 11AM – 4PM to view the auction items.
https://www.32auctions.com/FestivalofWreaths2023
Many thanks to this year’s Festival of Wreaths sponsor, Aasum-Dufour Funeral Home. Events like this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of local businesses and community sponsors.
Dec
4
Mon
An enchanting surprise to delight both children and adults will be on display at City Hall during the month of December. The costumed squirrels of artist Ronda Johnson come to life in three-dimensional dioramas as well as fun photos. A night watch photo of Baron Von Potentaut of the Natty Dresser will be on display as well.
Miniature art, quizzical ,whimsy and fine art will be displayed for your pleasure.
City Hall hours are 8-5, Monday thru Friday with the exhibit beginning Monday the 4th of December.
DECEMBER FOOD DRIVE
December 2023
During the month of December, AndCo will be collecting donations of non-perishable food to help fill cupboards this holiday season! Current Needs include; Non-Perishable Food Items, Pet Food, Diapers/Wipes (sizes 4, 5, & 6), Toilet Paper, Personal Hygiene Products, Baby Formula/Baby Food, Bottles/Nipples, Small Boxes & Grocery Bags.
Donations will benefit FISH OF ALBANY and can be dropped off at the AndCo office (in the Heritage Mall, between Target & Old Navy) between 10 AM & 5 PM.
FREE GIFT WRAPPING STATION
December 4-22, 2023 | 10 AM-5 PM, M-F
Starting December 4th, you can stop by the AndCo office and use their gift wrapping station to wrap some gifts! Wrapping supplies will be available Monday – Friday from 10 AM – 5 PM at the AndCo Office @ Heritage Mall (between Target & Old Navy).
On December 3rd, they will be offering complimentary gift-wrapping services during their special Christmas Portrait Event
You’re invited to a weekly jam event hosted by Albany Oregon Jams at Deluxe Brewing every Monday evening! This event is a chance for local musicians of all levels looking for a place to jam in Albany Oregon.
Gathering at 5PM for those who want to work on harmonies and those who want to play acoustic instruments for the singers – think Crosby-Stills, Cowsills, Eagles, etc. The group lead will be on site starting at 4:30. Sign up for all player jam songs will start at 5:00 PM for the 5:30 jam.
The all-player jam event is currently acoustic only and is played in a round-robin style. Participants are asked to come prepared to lead 2 – 4 covers that all musicians may play. Please know your key!
Gathering at 5PM for those who want to work on harmonies and those who want to play acoustic instruments for the singers – think Crosby-Stills, Cowsills, Eagles, etc. The group lead will be on site starting at 4:30. Sign up for all player jam songs will start at 5:00 PM for the 5:30 jam.
The all-player jam event is currently acoustic only and is played in a round-robin style. Participants are asked to come prepared to lead 2 – 4 covers that all musicians may play. Please know your key!
Deluxe Brewing is open to all ages, apart from the immediate bar area and is always pet-friendly. The taproom serves craft beer, house spirit cocktails, cider, wine and soda. The Deluxe Food Cart is also open throughout the event time for dinner orders.
Event lead Sharon Carter typically arrives around 4:30PM and attendees are welcome to arrive early to begin practice.
For more information: https://linktr.ee/sinisterdeluxe
Visit Christmas Storybook Land to relive your favorite childhood nursery rhymes, fairy tales and family movies in a magical indoor walk-thru forest! Entry is free, although commercially packaged food for the local food bank is gladly accepted.
Dec
5
Tue
DECEMBER FOOD DRIVE
December 2023
During the month of December, AndCo will be collecting donations of non-perishable food to help fill cupboards this holiday season! Current Needs include; Non-Perishable Food Items, Pet Food, Diapers/Wipes (sizes 4, 5, & 6), Toilet Paper, Personal Hygiene Products, Baby Formula/Baby Food, Bottles/Nipples, Small Boxes & Grocery Bags.
Donations will benefit FISH OF ALBANY and can be dropped off at the AndCo office (in the Heritage Mall, between Target & Old Navy) between 10 AM & 5 PM.
FREE GIFT WRAPPING STATION
December 4-22, 2023 | 10 AM-5 PM, M-F
Starting December 4th, you can stop by the AndCo office and use their gift wrapping station to wrap some gifts! Wrapping supplies will be available Monday – Friday from 10 AM – 5 PM at the AndCo Office @ Heritage Mall (between Target & Old Navy).
On December 3rd, they will be offering complimentary gift-wrapping services during their special Christmas Portrait Event
Linn County Arts Guild, 846 Main St. Nov. 1st through Dec. 24th (11-5 Tues-Sat).
Many local artists offering ‘handcrafted in Linn County’ items!
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