Free cake, live music and roller derby are on the event calendar for the weekend of Friday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 17.
Willamette Valley Wine & Beer Festival, plus a marathon
Enjoy live music and award winning wines at Riverfront Park this Sunday, Sept. 17, with the return of the Willamette Valley Wine Festival.
The festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at 200 Water Street N.E. Local wineries and breweries will offer beer, wine and cider inside.
Tickets are $15 in advance online or $25 at the festival, and include six tasting tokens.
Those drinking wine will be able to greet each runner of the Willamette Valley Marathon and Half Marathon at the finish line.
The run starts and ends at Riverfront Park after looping around Minto-Brown Island Park, with start times between 8:30 and 10 a.m. Runners will get a free wine tasting package, with over a dozen wines to choose from.
Registration for the run is available online, and is $85 for the 10K, $105 for the half marathon and $130 for the marathon.
If you’re more of a beer drinker, Xicha Brewing is holding its fourth Xichafest Friday, Sept. 15, and Saturday, Sept. 16, and Xicha North, 2195 Hyacinth St. N.E., Suite 162. From noon to 10 p.m., come enjoy local beers, live music, dance, elote and more.
25 years of Salem Saturday Market
The Salem Saturday Market is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 16. Along with the usual selection of artisan crafts and foods, there will be free cake and giveaways from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. while supplies last.
The market gathers weekly through the end of October, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 865 Marion St. N.E.
Punx in the Park
A punk rock concert lineup paired with a resource fair returns this year, bringing the perspectives, needs and experiences of Salem’s homeless youth to the main stage.
In the event’s second year, organizers have planned a bigger event with more food, more music and more booths providing information on housing, education, employment and mental health care. Young people will be able to get free food, clothes and other resources.
Six local bands voted in by Salem youth are playing: The Doug Fury’s, Happy Death Men, Wild Ire, Boundless Joy, Sunwell and Andromeda.
Punx in the Park will be Saturday, Marion Square skate park, 551 Commercial St. N.E., from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is free to attend.
Check out our full event preview below:
Walk to end Alzheimer’s
Volunteers will walk through Riverfront Park to fight Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Sept. 16. The event, at 200 Water Street N.E, goes from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Alzheimer’s Association event is held annually in over 600 locations, and is the largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Care, support and research according to the Travel Salem event page.
Registration is free, though participants are encouraged to fundraise. As of Tuesday, nearly 400 participants had signed up in Salem, raising over $81,000.
Library concert: Sofia Talvik
Swedish singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik will take to the stage at the Loucks Auditorium on Sunday, Sept. 17.
The show is part of her release tour to promote her 9th studio album, “Center of the Universe,” which was recorded in a traditional wooden house in rural Sweden.
The Salem Public Library’s event page describes Talvik as “a North Sea siren blending sparkle and melancholy, creating a special niche of folk music.” She’s performed at large festivals including Lollapalooza and SXSW.
The show will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, at 585 Liberty St S.E. The performance is free and first-come, first seated.
Kristen Grainger & True North album release concert
Salem favorites Kristen Grainger & True North will celebrate the release of their latest album, “Fear of Falling Stars,” with a concert at Salem’s Historic Grand on Saturday, Sept. 16, featuring special guests.
Grainger’s band is an Americana string and bluegrass group that has received national recognition, including the USA Songwriting contest in 2020 and a 2022 songwriter showcase at SXSW.
Guest performers include Salemite Dale Adkins, Clara Baker, Joel Chadd, Gabrielle Louise and Darryl Purpose.
The show will be Saturday, Sept. 16 from 7:30 – 10 p.m. at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre, 191 High Street N.E.
Tickets are available online and $25 in advance, and $30 at the door.
Cherry City Roller Derby season opener
Cherry City Roller Derby is opening its season with a back-to-school double header on Saturday, Sept. 16.
Doors open at 3:30 p.m. at 1335 Madison Street N.E. The first game starts at 4:30 p.m. and will feature junior skaters, and the second game featuring adults will start at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for the online presale that ends Saturday at noon, or $15 at the door, or $30 for a family pass. Children under 5 get in free.
Art shows in Salem
Check out our list of local gallery exhibitions below:
Correction: The Kate Mackenzie band will not be playing in Salem on Saturday, Sept. 16. Rather, Dale Adkins is a former member of the disbanded group. Salem Reporter regrets the error.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-704-0355.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
