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.

Jul
15
Sat
Philomath Museum Family Day: Water! @ Philomath Museum
Jul 15 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Philomath Museum Family Day: Water! @ Philomath Museum | Philomath | Oregon | United States

Dive into a splashtastic adventure at our Free Family Day, celebrating all things Water! Discover your community’s aquatic wonders, make a splash in “Philomath’s Largest Water Sprinkler,” and meet a mesmerizing mermaid. Join us for a wet and wild family experience!

  • Fun-filled hands-on learning activities, demonstrations, and crafts
  • Community organizations about water
  • BioFacts from the coast
  • Take a photo with a Mermaid
  • Bring a towel for the Water-Tower, courtesy of Philomath Fire & Rescue
  • Well Water Nitrate Screening (bring 1/2 cup of your well water in a clean container for on-site results)
  • And our exhibitions at the Philomath Museum!

Additional Event Details:

The Philomath Museum is fully air-conditioned, providing a comfortable environment for everyone. Restroom facilities are conveniently located within the museum. The venue is handicap accessible, ensuring a welcoming experience for all visitors.

Please note that no alcohol or pets are allowed at the event to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all attendees.

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

Jul
23
Sun
Cornerstone Gospel Singers @ Westwood Community Church
Jul 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Cornerstone Gospel Singers @ Westwood Community Church | Philomath | Oregon | United States

Westwood Community Church near Philomath will present the first concert of its 2023 Summer Outdoor Concert Series at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 23, featuring the Cornerstone Gospel Singers.

Cornerstone began singing in 1979 and continues to perform Southern Gospel, inspirational and contemporary music in churches and at festivals, fairs and other events. Gordon and Peggy Kuryluk have been performing for more than 30 years.

No admission will be charged, but an offering for Cornerstone’s ministry will be taken. Seating is limited, so it is suggested attendees bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Westwood Community Church is at 23319 Highway 34 at Greasy Creek Road, approximately 4 miles up the Alsea Highway from Philomath.

Further information is available from Pastor Raymond Mabee, 541-602-5162.

Photo: Calapooia Sunset, Pioneer Park by Mike Moshofersky

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)

Hands on History @ Linn County Historical Museum
Aug 26 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Hands on History @ Linn County Historical Museum | Brownsville | Oregon | United States

The event is held in Library Park adjacent to the Linn County Historical Museum in Downtown Brownsville. It begins at 10am. Come early and beat the heat!

Step back in time and try your hand at the crafts and activities practiced by the folks who lived here long ago. The Mid-Valley Prospectors will be here for you to pan for gold and the Boston Mill will be bring their Stone Quern for grinding wheat. You can wash clothes on a washboard, press apples into cider, dip beeswax candles and spin wool. Try your hand at crosscut sawing and make a cornhusk doll. Plan to stay the whole day…you won’t want to leave! This free activity is supported by a generous donation from Randy Tripp.

Photo: Sunrise in Brownsville by Mike Moshofsky

Sep
2
Sat
Fiechter House Open House @ William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
Sep 2 @ 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)

Sep
9
Sat
Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire @ Kings Valley
Sep 9 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire @ Kings Valley | Philomath | Oregon | United States

September 9th & 10th, 2023
Celebrating 27 Years Of Teaching History Through Faire Play

Elizabethan Revels & Marketplace
An Interactive Living History Village
Gates are Open from 10am to 6pm
Kings Valley – Oregon
est. 1996

Purchase Tickets Online or At the Gate
Before you come, please note:
Bring cash as a backup; we have no ATM and each of our vendors have their own payment arrangements.
No pets. Of course we welcome assistance animals as indicated under Oregon law.
Check your fuel as the nearest gas stations are about 15 miles in any direction.
Outdoor terrain on our partially unimproved site can be challenging for crutches and many kinds of electric scooters.
Feel free to contact us directly if you have any accessiblity questions; we have some experience.