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.
The John Fiechter House, also known as Failing Cottage, is is believed to be the oldest house in Benton County. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visitors to the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge will be able to visit and tour this historic 1855 pioneer house every Saturday, July 8 through Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and learn the history of one of Benton county’s early families.
The Fiechter House is located on Finley Refuge Road, across from the red Cabell barn. Visitors can also stop in at the refuge’s Nature Store for directions.
Photo credit: John Fiechter House, by Ian Poellet. (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Annual Bridges, Bikes & Brews Festival in Scio, Oregon on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
There will be a motorcycle poker run, cornhole tournament, live music, food, vendors, local breweries, and more. Bridges, Bikes and Brews is sponsored by the Scio Event Center Organization to raise funds for a new Fairgrounds and Event Center to be built in or near Scio, Oregon.
The Linn County Lamb and Wool Fairgrounds will be open from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. with food carts, and other vendors. The beer garden opens at 11:00 and features beverages from the Growler Café in Lebanon. There will be entertainment at the Carol Bates Stage featuring Lane Norberg, Jessie Leigh, and Huckle Buck Highway.
Photo: “Gilkey Bridge” by Oliver J. Anderson
Witches and Warlocks unite at HEX in Brownsville, OR on October 28th at 5:30pm for an easy 30+ minute stroll! Kids and pets welcome (no bikes please!)
Family friendly. Costumes encouraged (but not required.) Best costume wins a $50 gift card to HEX!
Create your own felted 7″ gnome or witch with seasoned fiber artist Anne Marie Cole.
$75 fee, 12 person limit. Workshop open to beginners or experts.
Contact HEX to register https://www.hexbrownsville.com/
Welcome the Market of the Strange to Brownsville in November, hosted by Hex, one of the coolest magical goods and gift shops around! Our witchy, occult, and magical vendors are coming together to offer you a harvest of delightful art, craft work, decor and more. Come out and help us celebrate the stranger side, enjoy some tasty treats, and cherish the bounty of creativity in our community.
This is an all ages event, with free admission.
Holiday Open Art Studio. Art Sale – Holiday Gifts. Visit the Misner Family Century Farm and Therese Misner’s Art studio for art and gifts.
The Misner Family and artist, Therese Misner, open their Century Farm for a festive day of art, gifts, and relaxing on the farm. Visit an artist working studio, home gallery, and tour the Misner Century Farm.
History Bites: The Miracle on First Avenue, the story of the Albany Carousel
Coming up on Wednesday, January 10th at noon.
The Albany Regional Museum will host the founder of the Albany Carousel and co-author of “The Miracle on First Avenue” Wendy Kirbey as she shares the story of one woman’s dream becoming reality. Kirbey along with co-author Jennifer Moody have assembled a wonderful history of how the Albany carousel came to be, from dream to opening. The book also highlights the unique stories of the carousel animals, and the inspiration behind each carving.
The History Bites program is free to attend. Admission to exhibits is now fee based, but always free for members!
Light refreshments provided.
Join us for another Living History Saturday in the cozy kitchen of the historic Monteith House in Albany Oregon. This month, we’re learning how to make hand-dipped taper candles!
All supplies provided with your $5.00 donation, and you can take your candles home with you. Choose either the 11:30 am class or the 1:00 pm class.
The Albany Regional Museum will host Debra Plymate, pilot, retired air traffic control specialist, and member of Oregon Pines 99s, to present this month’s History Bites on Amelia Earhart. This is in celebration of the anniversary of her visit to Oregon and to kick off our new exhibit, “Picturing Women Inventors.” Come retrace her steps and celebrate her life and legacy!
History Bites is always free to attend. Admission to exhibits is waived today 2/14 to celebrate Oregon’s birthday!
Light refreshments provided.
