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