Top spring and summer 2023 festivals in the Willamette Valley
Festival season is fast approaching in the Mid-Valley, with a mostly restored roster of events since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here is a list of some of the top events set for this spring and summer.
Is there a Mid-Valley event that should be added to this list? Email Em Chan at echan@gannett.com with details about the event.
May events
May 19-20, McMenamins UFO Festival: The 23rd annual UFO Festival will feature live music, costume contests, podcast recording, vendors, speakers/panels, a sci-fi film festival, food and drinks. To get more details or tickets, check out the event website, ufofest.com.
May 21, Wildflower & Music Festival: The Wildflower Festival is held at the Mount Pisgah Arboretum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Festival activities include a wildflower display with more than 200 local species, live music by local bands, natural trail with art installations, guided nature walks and local vendors offering food, drinks, arts and crafts plus plants. To get more info or purchase tickets, visit the event site, mountpisgaharboretum.org/festivals-events/wildflower-music-festival.
June events
June 1 -4, Lebanon Strawberry Festival: The annual Lebanon Strawberry Festival will celebrate the bountiful berry harvests with a full weekend of events. Some events include a junior and grand parade, run/walk, fireworks and more. For a full schedule and tickets to the events, go to the festival website, lebanonstrawberryfest.com.
June 18, Silverton Strawberry Festival: The 72nd anniversary of the Silverton Strawberry Festival features strawberries with biscuits and ice cream on Father's Day. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info, check out the event website, homerdavenport.com/strawberry-festival.
June 23-25, World Beat Festival: The annual World Beat Festival returns to Riverfront Park in Salem to celebrate the Philippines. The weekend festival brings the music, dance, food, activities and more of over 70 nations. For more info on the event, check out the festival website, salemmulticultural.org/festival/world-beat-festival.
July events
July 4, 4th of July Spectacular: The official fireworks for the City of Salem will be held at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. The evening event will feature a carnival, food and drinks, plus a concert by country music band Alabama. The evening will end with fireworks. More details or tickets for the Alabama concert or V.I.P. party zone are available on the event's webpage, oregonstatefair.org/spectacular.
July 6-9: Marion County Fair: Marion County Fair returns to share and celebrate livestock, live music and entertainment, food and drinks and various contests. Tickets to the fair are available on the event's website, marioncountyfair.net.
July 21-23, Salem Art Fair & Festival: The 74th annual Salem Art Fair & Festival returns to Bush's Pasture Park. The event features art, cultural demonstrations, children's performances and a parade for the weekendlong event. For more info on how to participate or general event details, check out the website, salemartfair.org.
August events
Aug. 4-6, Homer Davenport Community Festival: The Homer Davenport Community Festival, or Davenport days, celebrates the life of the celebrated political cartoonist. This year there are a slew of events including brew fest, parade, car show, arts and crafts, live music, races, fun run and international cartoon contest. For more event details, check out the festival website, homerdavenport.com/homer-days.
Aug. 9-12, Polk County Fair: The annual Polk County Fair returns to the Polk County Fairgrounds. The fair will have various livestock, games, activities, performances and contests throughout the weekend event. On Aug. 10 at 7 p.m., Rough Stock Rodeo will also be performing their Hell on Hooves rodeo, which will be free with fair admission. Contests are now open for participants, with details for submitting on the county fair website. This year's theme is "whatever floats your goat." For more details on admission, check out the county website at co.polk.or.us/microsite/annual-fair.
Aug. 18-20, Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana: The 59th anniversary of the Fiesta Mexicana in Woodburn features more than 60 vendors, soccer tournament, parade, lucha libre, lotteria, live music, carnival and a new pickleball tournament. For more info, check out the fiesta website, woodburn-or.gov/community-services/page/woodburn-fiesta-mexicana.
Aug. 19, Aumsville Corn Festival: The 55th annual Aumsville Corn Festival is themed "hot buttered nights" this year. The event will include a parade, corn sales, parade and family games throughout the day. For more info, check out the festival website, aumsville.us/events/page/corn-festival-information.
Aug. 25- Sept. 4, Oregon State Fair: The Oregon State Fair returns to the Oregon State Fairgrounds, featuring livestock, contests, food and drinks plus family-friendly games, activities and arts and crafts. Additional information to be released soon. To keep up with updates, check out the official website at oregonstatefair.org.
Em Chan covers food and dining at the Statesman Journal. You can reach her at echan@gannett.com, follow her on Twitter @catchuptoemily or see what she's eating on Instagram @sikfanmai.ah.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Spring and summer 2023 festivals in the Willamette Valley
