What to do in Salem from May 1-7: Awesome 3000, Sheep to Shawl, bead show
Each week, Salem Reporter highlights a selection of upcoming local events.
For a more complete list, browse our events calendar here. You can submit an upcoming event here.
Here’s a roundup for the week from Thursday, May 1, to Wednesday, May 7.
*Starred events are free to attend, although they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation.
Awesome 3000
Saturday, May 3: The Awesome 3000 returns for another year as Salem’s largest fun run. Hundreds of local kids, from kindergarteners through high schoolers, will run between 300 and 3,000 meters in a race at Willamette McCulloch Stadium in Bush’s Pasture Park.
Since 1983, Awesome 3000 has helped raise money to fund grants to support the Salem-Keizer School District through sponsorships and participant fees. In 2023, the event raised $45,000 for the school district, according to the United Way’s website.
Cheer on the runners as they start around 7:30 a.m. Saturday. The stadium is located at 890 Mission St. S.E. inside Bush Park. More information on the Awesome 3000 is available here. People can register kids to participate here and people interested in volunteering can sign up here. See photos from last year’s Awesome 3000 below:
Sheep to Shawl
*Saturday, May 3: Watch an art project come to life as sheep get sheared and their wool transformed right before your eyes. The Willamette Heritage Center is hosting its 40th annual Sheep to Shawl festival, which will have sheep and live shearing demonstrations, games and activities for anyone to enjoy.
The festival will also have children’s activities, live music and food from Taproot’s Old Mill Cafe. It will take place at the Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. S.E., and go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The event is free to attend. More information available here.
Indigenous documentary
*Friday, May 2: Head to the Salem Public Library for a screening of documentary film “The Healing Heart of Lushootseed,” and learn about how one tribal elder led an effort to “heal the heart of the world through music.” Vi Hilbert, an elder from the Upper Skagit tribe in northern Washington, created an original musical work that focused on the significance of her ancestral culture which was performed by the Seattle Symphony in 2006.
The free screening will be followed by a discussion with Hilbert’s granddaughter Jill La Pointe who directed the documentary. There are no tickets required for the screening and seating is first-come, first-served. The documentary will start at 6 p.m. and is at the downtown library location, 585 Liberty St. S.E.
Plant sale
*Friday, May 2 & Saturday, May 3: Stop by the state fairgrounds this weekend for a large sale of more than 10,000 plants. Organized by the Marion County Master Gardeners Association, this weekend’s plant sale will include a selection of trees, shrubs, vegetables, herbs, perennials and native plants. The sale will also include gardening tips and demonstrations.
The sale will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The event is free to attend but parking is $2.50. The sale will be at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, located at 2330 17th St. N.E. More information is available on the association’s Facebook.
Swing dancing
Saturday, May 3: Dance the night away with a swing dancing lesson and live music at The BAD Space in south Salem. Learn how to swing dance with Mz. Jitterbug from 7-8 p.m. and then enjoy two hours of live swing music performed by The Swizzle Chicks featuring The Piping Hot Toddies.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and a full restaurant and bar will be available throughout the night. Tickets for the night’s events are $16. The BAD Space is located at 2544 19th St. S.E. More information is available on Facebook.
Bead show
*Sunday, May 4: A special one-day pop show will bring a wide collection of beads to Salem for people to learn about, collect and look at beads and other items. Hosted by Ava Motherwell & Friends, the pop-up will include vintage beads from Germany and Italy, artisan beads and gemstones. This will also be an opportunity for wholesale buyers to buy for their businesses.
The pop-up show will be from 12-5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn & Convention Center, located at 3301 Market St. N.E. There is no registration or fee required to attend. More information about the show is available online.
Pet therapy
*Tuesday, May 6: Salem Health is hosting a pet therapy petting booth outside of the hospital for a few hours. The booth will have dogs who are “certified pet therapy stars,” the hospital said on Facebook, who can help relieve stress and provide comfort to anyone in need of some pet quality time.
The pet booth will be set up at Salem Hospital, 890 Oak St. S.E., between buildings A and C. People are encouraged to stop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].
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Madeleine Moore came to Salem after graduating from the University of Oregon in June 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She covers addiction and recovery, transportation and infrastructure.
