Saturday is Earth Day, and whether you’re looking to celebrate in a local park or stay inside and avoid the likely rain, there’s plenty to do in Salem. Here’s your weekend roundup from the Salem Reporter crew.
Earth-themed fun for the whole family
Baby goats and a retro theme are just a few of the attractions at Marion County’s annual celebration of our planet.
The county’s environmental services department will also host terrarium building, guided nature walks, face painting and other family friendly activities at a Saturday celebration. There’s also free ice cream.
The event is free and open to the public. More information is available on the county website — RSVP in advance for an additional prize ticket.
When: Saturday, April 22, 12-4 p.m.
Where: Spong’s Landing Park, 6525 22nd Ave N, Keizer
Another park celebration of the holiday will take place in Northgate Park, 3575 Fairhaven Ave. N.E. in Salem from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Kick the day off with a park cleanup until 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch and family activities. Events include giveaways for children, rock painting and a relay race.
The celebration is put on by the Hallman-Northgate Neighborhood Family Council, Northgate Neighborhood Association and Enlace Cross-Cultural Community Development.
More Earth Day events
If you’re looking for a more meditative connection to the earth, Common People Yoga is hosting a special yoga class in Riverfront Park Saturday from 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m., accompanied by sitar music from JJ Gregg.
Tickets are $5 — sign up or learn more online.
Crafters may want to check out the Salem Public Library, which is hosting an Earth-friendly craft supply swap Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Come browse donated craft supplies and take home items for your next project.
The first hour of the event is limited to people who donated supplies.
The library is at 585 Liberty St. S.E., with the swap in Anderson Room A & B.
Unearth the past
The archaeologists digging for clues to Salem’s past at the back of the Willamette Heritage Center campus are eager to share their work.
The city, heritage center and other groups are hosting Public Archaeology Day Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the site, located at 1313 Mill St. S.E. The event is free and open to all ages.
It’s the second year of the dig, focused on the location of the former Oregon Indian Mission Manual Labor School, which operated for a few years in the 1840s, and parsonage that served as an administration building.
Visitors can learn more about the project, now in its second year, and see a likely piece of the 1841 parsonage foundation recently unearthed.
Related: Salem invited to see archaeology in action at Saturday event
Homegrown basketball
The Salem Capitals have two home games this weekend at the Salem Armory, 2310 17th Ave N.E.
On Friday, the squad takes on the Wenatchee Bighorns at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, they play the Bakersfield Majestics at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets start at $6 per person. Visit the Salem Capitals website for more information or to buy tickets.
Take a trip to Hawaii
Venti’s Downtown is hosting a Hawaiian market and trivia night with local vendors. The event runs Saturday from 1-8 p.m. at the restaurant, 325 Court St. N.E.
Strap on some skates
Travelin’ Wheelz hosts two pop-up open skate sessions Saturday for skaters of all levels. Bring your own skates or rent them for $5. The theme is “Celebrate the Seasons,” and costumes are encouraged. Admission $10.
Sessions run 4-6:30 p.m. and 7:30-10 p.m. at the Madhouse, 1335 Madison St. N.E. More information on Facebook and the Travelin’ Wheelz website.
See the spring tulips
Visitors to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival may get their best blooms this weekend and next, as a colder spring has delayed the flowers’ peak color.
The annual festival at the Woodburn Farm runs daily through May 7. Weekday tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors. Weekend tickets $20 for adults, $15 for seniors. Kids 12 and under free. Tickets must be purchased in advance online.
The farm is located at 33814 S. Meridian Rd., Woodburn.
Catch a play
The Pentacle Theatre’s production of ”Rabbit Hole” opens Friday, April 21. The play focuses on grief and healing as a couple confronts the death of their young son.
Shows are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Where: The Pentacle Theatre is at 324 52nd Ave. N.W., off Highway 22.
Tickets: Prices range from $17 to $37, with 50% discounts available to students, frontline healthcare workers and Oregon Trail Card holders. Tickets are available online, by calling 503-485-4300 or at the box office 45 minutes before the performance.
Catch our preview of the Pulitzer Prize-winning show here.
Willamette University’s theatre department also continues its staging of “Blithe Spirit,” a comic play about spiritualism. Performances run Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Location: M. Lee Pelton Theatre, 900 State St.
Tickets: $14 for general admission, $12 for seniors, $9 for students. Available online, at the box office or can be ordered by phone at 503-370-6221.
Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
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Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.
