What to do in Salem from June 26-July 2: World Beat, Salem baseball, train fest
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, June 26, to Wednesday, July 2.
*Starred events are free to attend, although they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation.
World Beat Festival
Friday, June 27 – Sunday, June 29: One of Salem’s top summer events returns to Riverfront Park this weekend. The World Beat Festival will celebrate its 28th year with its “villages” of performances, food and crafts from around the world spread throughout the park for visitors to enjoy.
This year’s festival is themed for Turtle Island, the Indigenous name for North America, to honor Warner Austin, a Cherokee and Blackfoot leader who founded the festival’s social powwow in 2009. Austin’s granddaughter Savannah Soliz spoke with Salem Reporter about what it means to her to honor her grandfather at one of Salem’s biggest events.
The festival will be open Friday from 5-10 p.m. on the main stage only, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year’s full program is available online. Day passes are $10 per person and weekend passes are $15. Passes can be bought online. Admission is free for children 14 and under along with SNAP cardholders. Riverfront Park is located at 230 Front St. N.E.
“Black Comedy” debut
Friday, June 27 – Saturday, July 19: The Pentacle Theatre is showing a play about a sculptor going to great lengths to impress his fiancé’s father. “Black Comedy” follows the sculptor as he takes his absent neighbor’s belongings to improve his apartment before the father visits. When the neighbor returns, the sculptor is thrown into chaos trying to make things right.
The play will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from $23 to $41. The Pentacle Theatre is located at 324 52nd Ave. N.W. and its box office is downtown at 197 Liberty St. S.E.
Powerland Heritage Park
Saturday, June 28: Spend the day riding a trolley, mini trains and railbikes at Salem’s Powerland Heritage Park. This Saturday, the park is having its second annual Train and Trolley Fest where it allows visitors unlimited trolley and train rides.
The event will also have a scavenger hunt, train activities and model railroads. People will be able to get tours of the grounds and various machines. Food vendors will be at the park throughout the event.
The fest will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Powerland Heritage Park, 3995 Brooklake Rd. N.E. Tickets are $15 for people 13 and older, and $7 for children ages 2-12. More information is available on Facebook or the park’s website.
Uncensored roller derby
Saturday, June 28: Roller derby that’s “not safe for work or children” is hitting the Madhouse Saturday in an uncensored Cherry City Roller Derby mash-up. The bout welcomes themed outfits from audience members, who are required to be 18 years or older since the event will involve partial nudity.
There will be food and beverages available at the event. Presale tickets are $12 online, and tickets at the door are $15 ($16 with a credit card). The Madhouse is located at 1335 Madison St. N.E. More information is available on Facebook.
Enchanted market
*Saturday, June 28: The Grand Theatre is hosting an enchanted market this Saturday, where people are encouraged to get dressed up with magic in mind. Local event organizer The Outer Realms is organizing the market which will have artists, performers and musicians to bring an enchanted indoor market to life. People will be able to shop, dance or get a tarot reading.
The market will be from 12-6 p.m. Saturday in the Brick Room inside the Grand Theatre, 187 High St. N.E. More information is available on Facebook.
Marion Berries baseball
Thursday, June 26 – Monday, June 30: The newest baseball team in the Salem area has a series of upcoming home games. At Friday night’s game, there will be a t-shirt giveaway while Saturday’s game will honor recent Salem high school graduates. In the upcoming week, the Salem Marion Berries will play the Bend Elks, Springfield Drifters and the Corvallis Knights.
There will be a home game every night at 6:35 p.m. from Thursday through Monday, except for Sunday’s game which will start at 5:05 p.m. Gates will open one hour before the start time. The games will take place at the baseball field at Chemeketa Community College, 4000 Lancaster Dr. N.E.
Tickets for Thursday night’s game start at $6 and tickets for other games this week start at $9.
Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].
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Madeleine Moore joined Salem Reporter in 2024 and reports on a variety of topics including public safety, addiction, treatment and the criminal justice system. She came to Salem after graduating from the University of Oregon in June 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
