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.

Jun
30
Fri
Icebox Cookoff
Jun 30 @ 3:00 pm
Icebox Cookoff @ Sweet Home | Oregon | United States

SWEET HOME 2023 • FRIDAY, JUNE 30TH AT 3 PM AND SATURDAY, JULY 1ST AT 1 PM

MUSIC, BBQ, & FIREWORKS

They will have the best pro barbecue pitmasters duking it out to see who has the best barbecue. You get to sample and vote who has the best! These teams will be competing to see who is grand champion and qualify for the American Royal and Jack Daniels Barbecue Championship.

Live fire cooking will be presented by Vic Superskewer: Whole Hog, Gator and more! We encourage attendees to bring a lawn chair to enjoy a day full of music, barbecue, and fireworks. We will have guest appearances from:

  • Craig from Ninja Q

Icebox Cookoff @ Sweethome, OR

1460 47th Ave, Sweet Home, OR 97386

Event Date: Friday, June 30th at 3 PM and Saturday, July 1st at 1 PM

Photo: “Outdoor Grilling” by Dan Bateman

Jul
1
Sat
Detroit Lake Fireworks
Jul 1 @ 10:00 pm
Detroit Lake Fireworks @ Oregon | United States

A highlight of the summer at Detroit Lake is its Fireworks Display and weekend Celebration, held on the closest Saturday to Independence Day. The fireworks start at about 10 p.m. and can be viewed from all over town, from trails on the mountain tops, or from a boat anchored on the Lake.

 

Photo: “4th of July” by Cathy Flowers

Jul
2
Sun
Independence Days @ Riverview Park
Jul 2 – Jul 4 all-day
Independence Days @ Riverview Park | Independence | Oregon | United States

There’s so much to do at the Independence 4th of July Event. View the schedule below to see all that is happening. 3 days packed of entertainment for all ages. Firework Show, Vendors, Mini Marathon, Car Show, Grand Parade, Kids Activities, Duck Derby Race on the River, Concerts: Schedule of Events

Since 1902 Independence Days, (formerly known as Western Days), has been a hometown tradition for locals. It’s a 4th of July party like no other, a special event planned for the community, by the community. Join them at the Riverview Park in downtown Independence, July 2nd-4th.

Photo: “Carnival Lights” By Dan Bateman

Corvallis Knights baseball @ Goss Stadium
Jul 2 @ 7:15 pm
Corvallis Knights baseball @ Goss Stadium | Corvallis | Oregon | United States

Take in a Corvallis Knights baseball game and then enjoy a spectacular fireworks display afterward at OSU’s Goss Stadium in Corvallis.

Game starts at 7:15.

Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online at happsnow.com/team/corvallis-knights.

Jul
4
Tue
Salem 4th of July Spectacular @ Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center
Jul 4 @ 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Salem 4th of July Spectacular @ Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center | Salem | Oregon | United States

It’ll be family fun for all at the Official Fireworks of Salem, with a carnival, food and beverage, and a concert by Alabama, wrapping up with a FREE 20-minute fireworks show that will light up the sky above the Oregon State Fairgrounds!

Tickets are on sale now!
Alabama concert tickets include access to the VIP Party Zone. Carnival tickets will be sold onsite at the event.

ALABAMA: $67-135
PARKING: $10-20
VIP ZONE: $5
FIREWORKS: FREE!

Gates and Carnival: 3pm / Pre-Show Party with Live Band: 4pm
L.B. Day Amphitheater Doors: 6pm / Alabama: 8pm / Fireworks Show: 10pm

PLEASE NOTE: NO PERSONAL FIREWORKS ALLOWED.
BAGS WILL BE CHECKED UPON ENTRY.
STAYING IN YOUR PARKED CAR IN OUR PARKING LOTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.

Photo: “Red, White & Blue” by Donald Bacher

Jul
19
Wed
History Through Headstones Tour @ Albany Riverside Cemetery
Jul 19 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
History Through Headstones Tour @ Albany Riverside Cemetery | Albany | Oregon | United States

“Celebrating Our Agricultural Heritage” is the theme of the annual History Through Headstones Tour at Albany’s Riverside Cemetery on Wednesday, July 19. It is sponsored by the Albany Regional Museum and the Riverside Cemetery Board of Directors.

 

This is the 13th year for the free event where light refreshments will be served from 7 pm to dusk. Visitors can park on either side of 7th Ave. west of Albany General Hospital and can begin their tour at either cemetery entrance.

 

Eleven people associated with the area’s agricultural community will be featured, including six members of the prolific Jenk’s family.

Here is a list of those to be honored along with the names of the docents who will talk about each one: James Benton Jenks (1833-93) and Mary Callaway Jenks (1838-1919), docent and great-granddaughter Mary Jacque Jenks Burck; Enoch Marvin Jenks (1880-1965) and Elizabeth Moser Jenks (1887-1965), docent and great grandson Tim Jenks; Howard Benton Jenks (1893-1963) and Eunice Luper Jenks (1890-1984), docent and grandson Howard Benton Jenks.

Also being honored are Amos Conrad (1925-94), docent and family friend, Pat Hagerty; Cyrill Koos (1863-1943) and Adele Koos (1864-1936), docent and family member Kathryn Koos-Lee; and John Gale Swatzka (1925-09), docent Darrel Tedisch, Riverside Cemetery Board member.

Concluding the featured subjects are Samuel Hill (1804-54), docent Bill Maddy, ARM member; and Mary Pettibone Buchner (1905-2002), docent and family member Kitty Buchner.

Photo credit: “Riverside Cemetary Heart of Linn County Genealogy” by Kimberly Richards

Aug
1
Tue
Jefferson’s Public Library Centennial @ Jefferson's Public Library
Aug 1 @ 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Jefferson's Public Library Centennial @ Jefferson's Public Library | Jefferson | Oregon | United States

In May of 1923 the Jefferson Women’s Club appointed a committee to find a suitable place to house a public library. The first library was opened on July 10, 1923, in the Smith and Fontaine General Merchandise Store with club members serving as volunteer librarians.

Join the Jefferson Public Library for their Centennial Open House on Aug. 1 from 10am – 7pm. They’re celebrating the library’s past, present, and future with games, food & fun!

Photo: Santiam at Rest by Dave Maestas

Aug
5
Sat
Brownsville Antique Faire @ Brownsville Pioneer Park
Aug 5 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Brownsville Antique Faire @ Brownsville Pioneer Park | Brownsville | Oregon | United States

No matter what you’re searching for, you’re sure to find it at Brownsville’s annual Antique Faire in Pioneer Park. 70+ of vendors come together with their treasures and there’s something for everyone. Breakfast and lunch will be available and there’s plenty of shade and tables to relax for a while. You’ll enjoy live music and a beautiful park setting and leave with vintage goodies. Also, be sure not to miss the vintage car show!

Date: Saturday, August 5, 2023 9am-3pm
Location: Brownsville Pioneer Park, 200 W Park Ave.

Free Admission

Photo: “Antique St. Car Show 1” By Oliver J. Anderson

Aug
19
Sat
Fiechter House Open House @ William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
Aug 19 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fiechter House Open House @ William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge | Oregon | United States

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)

Aug
26
Sat
Fiechter House Open House @ William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
Aug 26 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fiechter House Open House @ William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge | Oregon | United States

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)