This week, Salem events include the Ironman triathlon which will draw thousands to Riverfront Park, live music featuring local bands and a classic car show.
Here’s the lineup of Salem events for the week from Thursday, July 18, to Wednesday, July 24. Browse all of Salem Reporter’s events coverage here.
Event descriptions come from posts and listings by organizers.
*Free events are marked with an asterisk.
Ironman
*July 21: The 70.3 mile triathlon returns to Salem Sunday for its fourth year. Athletes begin the course at 6:15 a.m. Sunday, swimming in the Willamette River from Minto-Brown Island Park to Riverfront Park before transitioning to a bike race and finally a run. Race sign-ups are closed, but spectating is free.
Rust O Rama
July 20: The 15th annual Rust O Rama, a classic car show with live music, vendors and a skateboard art contest, meets at the Oregon State Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $5, and kids 12 and under get in free. The fairgrounds are at 2330 17th St. N.E.
Beer and kittens
July 18: Santiam Brewing will have snacks, craft beer and foster kittens to cuddle at its Beer and Kittens event Thursday. For every pint sold, $1 will go to Meow Village, a foster-based rescue. The event goes from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 1942 McGilchrist St. S.E. There is a suggested $5 donation.
Live music, comedy, improv and local performances
Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St SE #150
July 19: WyWolf, The Vardaman Ensemble and Accidental Intoxication will perform starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
July 20: Metal bands Wizard of the Woods, Slow Goat and Black Ember will perform at Infinity Room starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.
The Grand Theatre, 191 High St. N.E.
July 19: Men Next Door Uncovered will bring “dancers who CAN strip, not strippers who CAN’T dance” to the Grand. Tickets start at $19.95, and doors open at 8 p.m. for a 9 p.m. show.
July 20: Portland bands Asher Fulero & Friends, The Resolectrics and Jerry Joseph will perform rock, R&B and jazz. Doors open at 7 p.m. for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $20 and are only available at the door.
Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. S.E.
July 20: Tribute band The Red NOT Chili Peppers will perform at the Elsinore Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25. The Elsinore is at 170 High St. S.E.
July 24: Grammy-winning reggae band Inner Circle will take the stage at the Elsinore. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30-$40.
Other venues
*July 18: The Gail Gage Jazz Band will play at West Salem City Park as part of the free Salem Electric Summer Concert Series. The show starts at 6:30 p.m.
July 19: Los Inquietos del Norte, a Mexican band which blends traditional and modern sound, will play at the Oregon State Fairgrounds starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $90, and kids under 10 get in free. The fairgrounds are at 2330 17th St. N.E.
July 19: Side Hustle Bar will host RnB, Love Pt. 3 featuring Los Angeles artist Cuuhraig. The 21+ show starts at 10 p.m., and the bar is at 145 Liberty St. N.E. Tickets start at $15.
July 20: Salem Art Association hosts its first Summer Celebration Party, featuring live bluegrass music, art, wine and dancing at the Bush Barn Art Center from 7-9 p.m. Tickets start at $25 for art association members and $35 for general admission.
Family events
*July 19: Fun Fridays, a free family event, return this week, bringing health care, literacy, early education and other resources to St. Edward Catholic Church 5303 River Rd. N. in Keizer. The event goes from 4-7:30 p.m., and there will be free food from 5:30-6:30 p.m. It’s organized by the Hallman-Northgate, Kennedy and Highland neighborhood family councils.
*July 18-Oct. 3 “Make Parenting a Pleasure” is a free 12-week course offered Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Chemeketa Community College’s child development center. Dinner is provided, and free childcare is available on-site for children ages 3-10. Younger children can remain with parents during class. Free, but registration required.
*July 20: Radar Toys is celebrating its birthday with free activities, face painting, a bounce house, a karate show, raffles and more. The all-ages party will be at 1440 Lancaster Dr. N.E. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Also on Saturday, Feria del Libro, a Spanish and English book fair at The Kroc Center, will celebrate Salem’s Hispanic community. The fair, from 1-5 p.m., includes games and activities. The Kroc Center is located at 1865 Bill Frey Dr.
*July 24: From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Loucks Auditorium, 585 Liberty Street S.E. magician Jeff Evans will put on a family performance full of magic and funny stunts. Doors open 15 minutes prior to the show.
Live theater and cinema
July 20, 21: Pentacle Theatre will present a reading of “Spiral: The Musical.” The musical will go through a developmental workshop at Pentacle most of July, before two readings on stage Saturday, July 20, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 21, at 2 p.m. $35 donation is suggested for tickets.
July 23: A special one-night screening of “Phoenix, Oregon” at Salem Cinema will benefit the Englewood Forest Festival. Defying midlife haze, two friends seize an unlikely opportunity to reinvent their lives, quitting their jobs to restore an old bowling alley and serve the “world’s greatest pizza.” Show at 6:30 p.m., tickets $15 in advance or $18 at the door. Mayor Chris Hoy will speak at the event about housing and office construction in Salem and several revitalization projects.
Classes, lectures and workshops
July 19: Families can learn about the history of the Oregon Territory and more in a series of weekly summer classes offered on Fridays at the Willamette Heritage Center. Tickets are $10 per person. More information and a full schedule is here.
*July 20: Learn the basics of bud grafting to clone fruit varieties onto existing trees. The class runs 9-11 a.m. at the Marion County Master Gardeners demonstration garden in Salem. Free, but register in advance online.
Markets and shopping
Every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the Salem Public Market at 1240 Rural Avenue S.E.
Salem Community Markets will bring local produce, food and products to various places throughout the city all week.
The Wednesday Chemeketa Market runs from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Chemeketa Community College Agricultural Hub at 4000 Lancaster Drive N.E.
The Thursday West Salem Farmers Market runs from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at 1260 Edgewater St. N.W.
The Saturday Market is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 865 Marion St. N.E.
The Monday Hospital Market will be 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Salem Hospital’s campus, 875 Oak St., between building A & C.
Art and cultural exhibits
See what’s on display at local galleries and museums this month.
What’s showing at Salem galleries, museums in July
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.
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.
