It is a Salem tradition that it be at least above 80 degrees for the Salem Art Fair & Festival, but that did not dissuade the crowds there on Friday and Saturday.
Although many miss the welcoming shade below the welcoming canopy of the oak trees, the adjusted location at Bush Park still has much to offer to the casual and discriminating art buyer. Those who need something for the garden to those who want something special to adorn themselves with will not go away unsatisfied from the 220 artists booths.
The stage was busy hosting a performance of “The Story of Ferdinand” by the Children’s Educational Theatre, and two other smaller stages offered performances by aerialists, cloggers and other small acts.
The food court had savory offerings from paella to gyros and there was an ice cream and funnel cake truck as well. Beer and wine were also available. Saturday’s headliner performance will be “Fabba” an ABBA tribute band.
The art fair will be open Sunday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Bush’s Pasture Park, with the entrance at the corner of Southeast High and Miller Streets. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and veterans, and $5 for teens. Kids under 13 are free.
There was multigenerational appeal at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Your garden can also look like a vision from Dr. Seuss with these hand-blown glass garden ornaments from the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Consulea Murphy in her booth at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. She is Washington State’s Artist of the Year in 2022-23. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Nothing beats a funnel cake and a snow cone at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Discriminating buyers look at rugs at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The perfect welcoming committee made from scrap iron at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)An aerialist from the Salem Aerial Dance Company performs at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. This is the first year for the school to perform at the Fair. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Robert Mituyasu holds one of his glass insect creations in his booth at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. They can take up to 3 weeks to create. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Rob Wiseman fans himself in his booth at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Stephanie Bucholz keeps the beer nice and cold at the Gilgamesh tent at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) An aerialist from the Salem Aerial Dance Company performs at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. This is the first year for the school to perform at the Fair. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)An aerialist from the Salem Aerial Dance Company performs at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. This is the first year for the school to perform at the Fair. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)An aerialist from the Salem Aerial Dance Company performs at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. This is the first year for the school to perform at the Fair. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)David Fox, owner of Zorro Paella, proudly displays his wares at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)There were delicious gyros to be had at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) A happy customer at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) One of the commemorative posters of the new paintings that hang inside the Bush House by Jeremy Okai Davis for sale at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The crowd enjoys the performance of “The Story of Ferdinand” by the Children’s Educational Theatre at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A visitor enjoys some freehand painting on a mural at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A visitor paints on the “paint by number” mural at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A visitor makes some color choices before painting on the “paint by number” mural at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A visitor makes a mask at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Poppy Adair enjoys getting her painting she made at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) An artist shows how to wear her and dyes silk shawls at her booth at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The Children’s Educational Theatre troupe performs “The Story of Ferdinand” at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The Children’s Educational Theatre troupe performs “The Story of Ferdinand” at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)An artist in their booth at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Each work of art that you buy at this booth comes with a story at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) These bracelets were all fashioned from repurposed labels off old machines, Victrolas, and other pieces of scrap metal at the Salem Art Fair at Bush Park on July 22, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
