SALEM EVENTS

Salem events from Sept. 19-25: Pride in the Park, Kroc fair and rodeo events

This week in Salem, watch cowboys and cowgirls compete for a crown, enjoy cross-cultural dance performances or walk around Salem’s annual Pride event at Riverfront Park. 

Here’s the lineup of Salem events for the week from Thursday, Sept. 19, to Wednesday, Sept. 25. 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. 

Pride in the Park

*Saturday, Sept. 21: The biggest Pride event in recent Salem history kicks off at 11 a.m. with over 200 booths available for browsing, learning, eating and shopping. This year is expected to bringd 9,000 to 10,000 visitors to Riverfront Park to celebrate the LGBTQ community. 

The event will have informational booths, a performance lineup, a food court and a families corner for families. Drag royalty (queens, kings and non-binary performers) and queer artists will perform throughout the day. 

This year, Pride in the Park has designated disability parking by Southeast Front Street. A map of the event and information about booths are available online. Salem Reporter previewed this year’s event.

Rodeo of Champions

Friday, Sept. 20-Saturday, Sept. 21: Put on your boots and hats and head on down to the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center to watch cowboys and cowgirls from across the Northwest compete in the final round of a professional rodeo. 

The 2024 Northwest Professional Rodeo Association finals will involve the top 12 cowboys and cowgirls in 11 events including bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, team roping, steer wrestling, wild cow milking, barrel racing, novice saddle bronc, and novice bareback. The finals start on Friday at 7 p.m. and run Saturday from 1-7 p.m.

Along with rodeo events, there will be booths and boutiques to shop at and music to listen and dance along to. On Saturday at 1 p.m. there will be family-friendly activities and discount event tickets. Parking for the event costs $10 per vehicle. Tickets range from $16 to $28 depending on the time of day and can be purchased online

Kroc Center Family Fair

*Saturday, Sept. 21: The Salem Kroc Center celebrates 15 years operating with hours of fun activities and special offers for new members. 

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., people can enjoy a free day at the Kroc along with family-friendly activities like pony rides, face painting, games, bounce houses and folklorico dancing. 

At the event the Kroc is offering a deal for new members that waives the $75 sign-up fee and will not charge new members until November. Information about the event is available on Facebook.  

Willamette Grape Stomp

Saturday, Sept. 21-Sunday, Sept. 22: Teams of people will compete to stomp grapes and collect the most juice to win a championship prize in Willamette Valley Vineyards’ annual times grape stomp competition. 

In teams of two, people go head to head in grape-crushing to win a $500 giftcard and a one night stay in a winery suite. Although the main event is the adult teams, there will be a free kids stomp at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

Spectators can watch the event at Willamette Valley Vineyards, located in Turner, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Tickets cost $30, $20 for club members and $15 for owners. More information about the vineyard and event is available online

Live music, comedy, improv and other entertainment

Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St. S.E. #150

Thursday, Sept. 19: RiRi Calienté hosts “Drag Time,” an evening of drag entertainment, cocktails and food with “Salem’s fabulous drag mother. Following the drag performance, people can stick around to sing karaoke with RiRi and other drag queens, including Mulan Rouge, Miss Jaxon and Starr. Show at 8 p.m., tickets $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

Friday, Sept. 20: “Diary of an Ex Ho,” a comedy show based on the popular podcast, is at 6 p.m. Get ready to have your funny bone tickled as our talented comedians share their hilarious stories and experiences about sex and relationships. Tickets $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Saturday, Sept. 21: Infinity Room hosts “Piano Queen” for two shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Drag artists Saint Syndrome and Nicole Onoscopi bring you live vocals and piano, mixed with comedy and storytelling. Tickets $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Grand Theatre, 187 High St. N.E.

Friday, Sept. 20: Grammy-winning group Rebirth Brass Band brings its blend of funk, jazz and R&B to the Grand Theatre. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Rebirth Brass Band has performed alongside the Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2 and Green Day. The show starts at 8 p.m. and pre-sale tickets are $25, $30 day of. 

Saturday, Sept. 21: Magic and marijuana come together in “Smokus Pocus,” the comedy show designed to “enthrall both the stoned and the sober.” The 420 magic show is traveling across North America after a residency in Las Vegas, Nevada and will make a stop at the Grand Theater at 8 p.m. Tickets cost between $30 and $115. 21+ show. 

Monday, Sept. 23: Renowned author Fran Lebowitz brings her insight and cultural satire to the Grand Theatre for an evening. The writer worked for Andy Warhol early in her career and produced many essays and interviews on current events over the years. The evening with Fran Lebowitz begins at 7 p.m. Tickets, which range from $29 to $49, are almost sold out. 

Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. S.E.

Friday, Sept. 20: Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman brings his award-winning songs to the stage at 7 p.m. The singer has sold over 17 million albums and has toured around the world. He is the most decorated singer in Christian music history. Tickets cost between $63 and 103, and VIP tickets are available. 

Saturday, Sept. 21: Rock out with 1980s English band the Cult and revisit their UK hits as they stop by as part of their worldwide tour. The Cult revived their music in recent years after taking breaks from the band in the 80s and 90s. The Cult will take the stage at 7:30p.m. Tickets start at $45. 

Sunday, Sept. 22: Irish and Scottish group Celtic Thunder perform their medley of traditional and modern Celtic songs that reflect their shared heritage. The group began in 2008 with male singers from Ireland and Scotland backed by a Celtic band. The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets begin at $44. 

Tuesday, Sept. 24: Ben Folds brings his pop music tour to Salem with special guest Lindsey Kraft, an actress and singer who’ll perform a one-woman show and theatrical songs. Ben Folds is a respected composer and author who’s worked with fellow solo artists as well as orchestras. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets range from $49 to $99.  

Other venues

*Friday, Sept. 20: Come to the main library at 585 Liberty Street S.E. on Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a cross-cultural dance celebration featuring Indian and Latin American performances and music. The array of Indian dance styles will be performed by Nupuram Dance Academy, and the Latin American dance and music is courtesy of the Enlace Cross-Cultural Community Development Project. The event is free and first-come, first-seated. More information is available online

Live theater and cinema

Salem Cinema, 1127 Broadway St. N.E.

Saturday, Sept. 21: In honor of Batman Day, a showing of director Tim Burton’s iconic 1989 “Batman.” The movie, starring actor Michael Keaton as Batman/Bruce Wayne, starts at 8 p.m. Tickets in advance are $9 and $11 on the day of.  

Sunday, Sept 22: The screening of “Footloose” has been canceled due to circumstances out of Salem Cinema’s control. 

Tuesday, Sept. 24: A screening of “The Shawshank Redemption” celebrates the film’s 30th anniversary. The movie, based on a novella by author Stephen King, follows a man convicted of murdering his wife and her lover as he adapts to prison life. The film starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets in advance are $9 and $11 the day of the movie.  

Wednesday, Sept. 25 & Sunday, Sept. 29: Matthew Bourne’s dance adaptation of “Edward Scissorhands” will play at Salem Cinema, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the show.

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 market ends for the year at the end of October.

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 Wednesday market ends for this year on Sept. 25.

The Thursday West Salem Farmers Market runs from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at 1260 Edgewater St. N.W. This week’s market is the last Thursday West Salem Farmers Market for the year.

The Saturday Market is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 865 Marion St. N.E. The Saturday Market ends in late October.

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. The Monday market ends for the year on Sept. 30. 

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.