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.

Oct
29
Sun
Philomath Open Studios Tour
Oct 29 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Philomath Open Studios Tour

More than 25 artists will display their work in and around Philomath during the Philomath Open Studios Tour on the weekends of Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29.

The free self-guided tour, which runs from noon-5 p.m., will be held in 11 locations — many of which are the artists’ own studios.

The tour showcases a broad array of art, including paintings, printmaking, ceramics, glass work, mosaics, beadwork, pencil drawings, photography, mixed media and more.

For more information visit: https://www.philomathopenstudios.com/

Nov
4
Sat
Philomath Holiday Craft Fair @ Philomath Elementary School
Nov 4 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Philomath Holiday Craft Fair @ Philomath Elementary School | Philomath | Oregon | United States

Philomath Frolic & Rodeo Craft Fair at Philomath Elementary School
November 4th and 5th!
Come shop from 9a – 5p Saturday
​and 10a – 3p Sunday.
BUY LOCAL. BUY UNIQUE.

ALL VENDOR SPACES ARE CURRENTLY FULL.
PLEASE EMAIL TO GET ON THE WAITING LIST ​OR TO BE PLACED ON THE MAILING LIST FOR FUTURE EVENTS. ​CONTACT INFORMATION: FROLIC.CRAFTFAIR@GMAIL.COM

Nov
5
Sun
Philomath Holiday Craft Fair @ Philomath Elementary School
Nov 5 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Philomath Holiday Craft Fair @ Philomath Elementary School | Philomath | Oregon | United States

Philomath Frolic & Rodeo Craft Fair at Philomath Elementary School
November 4th and 5th!
Come shop from 9a – 5p Saturday
​and 10a – 3p Sunday.
BUY LOCAL. BUY UNIQUE.

ALL VENDOR SPACES ARE CURRENTLY FULL.
PLEASE EMAIL TO GET ON THE WAITING LIST ​OR TO BE PLACED ON THE MAILING LIST FOR FUTURE EVENTS. ​CONTACT INFORMATION: FROLIC.CRAFTFAIR@GMAIL.COM

Feb
22
Thu
Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts @ Philomath High School
Feb 22 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts @ Philomath High School | Philomath | Oregon | United States

Documentary viewing at Philomath High School.

Admission is free, but a canned food donation for the Philomath Food Bank is encouraged and appreciated.

 

IN 1866, SIX ALL-BLACK CAVALRY AND INFANTRY REGIMENTS WERE CREATED AFTER CONGRESS PASSED THE ARMY ORGANIZATION ACT. THEY CAME TO BE KNOWN AS BUFFALO SOLDIERS.

Established by Congress in 1867, Many African American men enlisted in exchange for full citizenship as promised by the 14th Amendment, but were denied this right by the Jim Crow laws established in the Reconstructionist South. In spite of that, these patriotic men helped lead the United States expansion westward; they built and guarded the Pacific Railroad and served as park rangers in places like Yosemite before the U.S. government established the National Park Service.

These African American soldiers fought bravely in the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, the Mexican Punitive Expedition, World War I & World War II, but the Buffalo Soldiers also participated in the subjugation of Native peoples as the United States appropriated tribal land, the persecution of striking silver miners in Idaho, and against Filipinos fighting for independence during the Spanish-American War, resulting in a complicated legacy.

It is particularly relevant today as our country is roiling with the agony of racial strife. By combining a multitude of diverse perspectives, the film examines the profound and often-contradictory roles played in American history by The Buffalo Soldiers, and how they fought on two very different sets of front lines: military conflicts abroad and civil rights struggles at home.

Apr
5
Fri
First Friday & Artist Reception- Featuring The Commissioners’ Show! @ Albany City Hall
Apr 5 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
First Friday & Artist Reception- Featuring The Commissioners' Show! @ Albany City Hall | Albany | Oregon | United States

The Albany Arts Commission (AAC) will participate in Albany’s First Friday event in April with its first-ever commission members show.

On First Friday, April 5, 2024, members of the AAC will host a reception at City Hall from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

This event is free and open to the public. Come meet your AAC active artist members, enjoy refreshments, view the variety of their work, and learn more about AAC’s mission and goals to support the arts in our community.

The AAC has raised public funds to support ongoing artist receptions for First Friday downtown for the rest of 2024.

Apr
6
Sat
April Floof’s Day 2024 @ Iron Water Ranch
Apr 6 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
April Floof's Day 2024 @ Iron Water Ranch | Albany | Oregon | United States

Join Iron Water Ranch for a fibery fun day with lambs to pet, fleeces to touch, and classes to take!

There will be a whole variety of raw fleeces available, natural and dyed yarns, washed locks, dryer balls, and fiber arts equipment and supplies!
2 Classes Available: Shepherding 101 for newer shepherds is from 12 pm to 2 pm, and a beginning Crochet Class from 1 pm – 3 pm.  To purchase tickets for these classes and for additional information visit Iron Water Ranch.
You’ll have a wooly good time!

May
1
Wed
Hidden History Scavenger Hunt @ The Natty Dresser
May 1 – May 26 all-day
Hidden History Scavenger Hunt @ The Natty Dresser | Albany | Oregon | United States

The Hidden History Scavenger Hunt includes photos of Downtown architectural elements to identify. Forms, and information on how to get them,  will be available on May 1st.  All entries must be returned to The Natty Dresser by Thursday, May 26, 5:00 pm. All correctly completed entries will be put into a drawing for a prize. The winner will be announced May 31 on Facebook and contacted by phone. This event is part of Albany‘s celebration of National Historic Preservation Month. Happy Hunting!

Photo: “Albany Building Corner” by Cathy Webb

National Preservation Month Events- Albany and Benton County @ Albany, Oregon
May 1 – May 26 all-day

May is dedicated to National Preservation Month. Also known as Historic Preservation Month, the month celebrates the nation’s heritage through historic places.

Albany is home to four national historic districts and the location of the most varied collection of architectural styles in the state. There are more than 800 historic buildings in three of the districts, dating from the 1840s to the 1950s, and all located within an area of approximately 100 square blocks.

Come and celebrate the heritage of Albany by participating in various events and exploring historic places all month long.

Events will include the Annual Tweed Ride, Walking History Tours, Building Tours, Vintage Bicycle Show, the Hidden History Scavenger Hunt, and more!

Scan the QR Code shown below and download the Albany Explorer App! You’ll find self-guided tours of our historic districts, great places to eat, and all things Albany!

We look forward to seeing you!

Photo: “Blue Sky for a Blue House” Monteith Historic District by Camron Settlemier

 

Albany Explorer App

 

 

 

 

We would also like to include Benton County’s all-month events!  See Full List of Events Here

Trails Through Time is the theme of National Preservation Month in Benton County.

Many events are available to participate in and learn the history of the area.

Some events require registration, all are free.  For updates, please check THE VISIT CORVALLIS OR ALBANY VISITORS websites.
This event schedule is a collaboration between the Benton County and Corvallis Historic Resources Commissions, the Albany Heritage Commission, and PreservationWORKS.

 

May
3
Fri
First Friday Artist Reception at City Hall in Albany @ Albany City Hall
May 3 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
First Friday Artist Reception at City Hall in Albany @ Albany City Hall | Albany | Oregon | United States

Join the Albany Arts Commission (AAC) as they participate in Historic Downtown Albany’s First Friday event, May 3, 2024.

They will host a community art show featuring works by over 20 artists for the entire month of May.

Members of the AAC will host a First Friday reception for the Community Show artists at the Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin St SW, on Friday May 3rd from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

This event is free and open to the public. Come meet your AAC active artist members, enjoy refreshments, view the variety of their work, and learn more about AAC’s mission and goals to support the arts in our community.

The AAC has raised public funds to support ongoing artist receptions for First Friday downtown for the rest of 2024.

May
5
Sun
Cinco de Mayo Pottery Sale! @ Calapooia Clay Pottery Studio
May 5 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Cinco de Mayo Pottery Sale! @ Calapooia Clay Pottery Studio | Albany | Oregon | United States

Visit the Calapooia Clay Pottery Studio for a fabulous Cinco de Mayo sale event!
There will be a variety of pottery for sale by several artists who work in the studio, including work by the owner, Ed Sweet.  There will be functional ware for sale like mugs, bowls, plates, vases, etc. Plus there will be decorative work and art pieces for sale.
During the sale a couple pottery wheels will be available for customers to try their hand at throwing a pot. Who knows, you just might be a potter and you didn’t know it!