This week in Salem, soak up the last few days of the Oregon State Fair, hang out with your dog to fundraise for pet shelters or or work on your gardening skills.
Here’s the lineup of Salem events for the week from Thursday, Aug. 29 to Wednesday, Sept. 4. Browse all of Salem Reporter’s events coverage here.
*Starred events are free to attend, although they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation.
Oregon State Fair
Wednesday, Aug. 28-Monday, Sept. 2: The final days of this year’s Oregon State Fair are here, as the fair will come to a close on Labor Day.
There are four remaining concerts: Ludacris on Thursday, pop singer Daya on Friday, rock band Foreigner on Saturday and Huntley, a winner of The Voice competition, on Monday. More information about the fair’s concert lineup is available here.
On Sept. 2, the pavillion has a demolition derby at 2 p.m. with “rough” cars and “tough” drivers. People can watch the derby for free with fair admission.
The fair includes concerts, entertainment, a carnival, animals, entries, vendors and more. Pre-sale admission tickets for adults cost $10, $8 for children, $1 for seniors. Children 5 and under are free. A pass for admission to all 11 days of the fair is $25. Tickets can be purchased online. Ride wristbands are available for presale, $45 on weekdays and $55 on weekends.
Urban Art Fest
*Saturday, Aug. 31: Urban Art Fest returns to Riverfront Park, bringing local artists, businesses and organizations to the center stage. The free festival will be at the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater on Saturday , Aug. 31, from 1- 8 p.m. Performers include Chilean hip-hop singer Noa Soulas and Salem beatboxer Robotic Torres. The eventIt seeks to create space for performers of color, empower youth and bring attention to Salem’s housing needs. The park is located at 200 Water St. N.E.
WillaMutt Strut
Saturday, Aug. 31: The Oregon Humane Society hosts a family-friendly fundraiser for shelter animals throughout Oregon. The event will include a 1K and 5K walk or run around Riverfront Park along with food trucks, local vendors and dog contests. The WillaMutt Strut starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Admission is $35 and registration for the “strut” is available online.
Live music, comedy, improv and other entertainment
Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St. S.E. #150
Thursday, Aug. 29: Infinity Room’s short form improv workshop graduation show is at 6:30 p.m. The workshop’s students will perform an entirely improvised show. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door.
Thursday, Aug. 29: Local comedian Eleanore Ryan puts on a benefit comedy show to raise money for Marion County’s homeless community. Canned food donations are encouraged but not required. The show starts at 9 p.m., doors at 8:30 p.m. Tickets available online for $12 and at the door for $15. 21+ show.
Friday, Aug. 30: Three alternative and rock bands from Salem and Portland perform starting at 8.p.m. The bands are Showtigers, Barnaby Jones and Hard Neutral. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. All ages are welcome until 10 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 31: Comedy and drag show performances will help raise money for Rainbow Railroad, a Canadian organization helping LGBTQ+ people escape violence and get access to gender affirming care. The Trans Telethon, put on by the Science Witch Podcast, will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.
Grand Theatre, 187 High St. N.E.
*Thursday, Aug. 29: Rock and country band the Drunken Hearts gives a high-energy performance of their “soulful and electrifying” music. The performance begins at 7 p.m. and attendance is free.
Friday, Aug. 30: A PNW Comedy show for couples, and anyone, comes to the Grand Theatre at 8 p.m. The show, “Date Night,” includes stand-up, improv and interactive games with the audience. Tickets $15 for single admission, $25 for two.
Saturday, Aug. 31: The Oregon Opry returns to the Grand Theatre, with several bands and singers performing country music starting at 8 p.m. Performances include Tyler and the Train Robbers, Jake and the Hill People and Alison Self. Online tickets are $15, and tickets the day of the show are $20.
Salem Cinema, 1127 Broadway St. N.E.
Friday, Aug. 30: Sci-fi thriller “Slingshot” starts showing, and has its first screening at 3 p.m. Friday. The movie follows a group of three astronauts as they face a dangerous mission into deep space. The film is rated R and general admission tickets are $11.
Other venues
Thursday, Aug. 29: Following Ludacris’ performance at the Oregon State Fair on Thursday, Rhythm & Flow and DJ Infamous, throw an after party at the Side Hustle Bar, 145 Liberty St. N.E., #101. Although DJ Infamous is the official tour DJ for Ludacris, the rapper is not guaranteed to attend. The after party starts at 9 p.m. Early bird general admission tickets are $10 online. 21+ party.
Wednesday, Aug. 28 – Saturday, Sept. 14: “Clue,” a play based on the 1985 murder mystery comedy movie and beloved board game, will show at the Pentacle Theatre. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets start at $25, and are half off for students and Oregon Trail Card holders. The theater is located at 324 52nd Ave. N.W.
Aug. 30, 31: Keizer Homegrown Theatre presents “Lovecrafted.” This horror-filled play is adapted from H.P. Lovecraft by celebrated playwright Laramie Dean and marks another world premiere written exclusively for Keizer Homegrown Theatre. Four survivors of inter-dimensional terrors share their stories in a secluded cabin. All shows at 7 p.m. Tickets $15, free for Oregon Trail Card holders. The theater is at 980 Chemawa Rd. N.E.
Classes and workshops
*Saturday, Aug. 31: Marion County Master Gardeners teach proper care for different types of blackberries, including how to increase the number of fruit the plants bear. Carl and Joyce Heinke, two master gardeners, lead the workshop and request that attendees wear gloves and bring clean pruners or loppers. The event starts at 9 a.m. and is at the Marion Demonstration Garden, 3180 Center St. N.E. Event registration is available online.
*Saturday, Aug. 31: The Salem Public Library hosts a presentation from Oregon State University’s Brooke Edmunds on how to grow a variety of herbs indoors. The event will give away assorted herb seed packets and a recipe booklet. There will also be a chance to win an indoor herb garden kit. The event is from 2-3 p.m. and will be at the downtown library, 585 Liberty St. S.E.
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 museum exhibitions
Check out what Salem museums and art galleries will wrap up at the end of August and what else is still around.
Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].
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Madeleine Moore is working as a reporter at Salem Reporter through the University of Oregon’s Charles Snowden internship program. She came to Salem after graduating from the University of Oregon in June 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
