What to do in Salem from July 10-16: Marion County Fair, Lavender Festival, Ghostbusters in the park
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, July 10, to Wednesday, July 16.
*Starred events are free to attend, although they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation.
Marion County Fair
Thursday, July 10 – Sunday, July 13: Get ready for a busy weekend with the return of the annual Marion County Fair. This year’s fair will bring hundreds of ways to enjoy some summer fun, including animals, games, music performances, carnival rides and food vendors.
People will get chances to watch LEGO building competitions, a llama obstacle course, take lessons on livestock and watch live music all weekend long. A full schedule of the fair’s events is available online here.
Tickets are $9 for people 13-64, $5 for people 65 and older, $5 for children 6-12 and free for ages 5 and under. Parking is available for $5. Admission is free to all on Thursday and free for kids 12 and under on Sunday. The fair is open 12-10 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. It takes place at the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center, 2330 17th St. N.E.
Read our preview here:
Lavender Festival
Friday, July 11 – Sunday, July 13: Spend some time wandering beautiful fields of lavender at the second annual lavender festival, hosted by Arrowhead Lavender Farm. For free, people can pick their own bouquets of lavender, shop handcrafted items and try lavender “culinary delights,” according to the festival description. There will be live music, food and drink, and possibly a workshop on how to make lavender wreaths.
Although entrance to the festival is free, there is a $10 parking fee. The farm encourages people to carpool. The farm is located just east of Salem at 6373 Sunnyview Rd. N.E. More information is available on Facebook.
Eola Hills picnic
Friday, July 11: Enjoy a night of relaxation, scenery and live music at the Eola Hills winery in Salem. The winery is hosting a kid and dog friendly night of picnics for people to lay out a blanket, enjoy food and wine and listen to music as part of a series of outdoor summer events. The event description does not include details on the music genre or performers.
The vineyard is located at 1600 Oak Grove Rd. N.W. Gates open at 5 p.m., but the event goes from 6-8 p.m. People can buy tickets in advance for $20, while winery club members can pay $10 each. Tickets purchased on the day of will be $25. Children under 12 get in free. More information is available on Facebook.
Free movie in the park
*Friday, July 11: Grab a blanket and some popcorn for the first free movie of the summer in Riverfront Park. The showing will be of a comedy film, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” which follows veteran Ghostbusters as they join up with fresh recruits to defend the world against a supernatural ice age.
The movie showing is the first in a series of free movies in Riverfront Park’s Gerry Frank Amphitheater, hosted by the city of Salem. Read our story on the rest of this summer’s movies here. The movie will start Friday at 9 p.m. the amphitheater is located at 230 Front St. S.E. More information is available on Facebook.
Garage sale
*Friday, July 11 – Saturday, July 12: Head to south central Salem for a summer garage sale and support an Oregon beach festival. The Newport Performing Arts Festival is raising money for its annual event by hosting a garage sale just south of Bush’s Pasture Park. The sale will have items ranging from women’s clothing and jewelry to games, toys and puzzles to various home goods.
The garage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The sale will be around 1725 Capitol St. S.E. and there will be signs around the south side of the park guiding people where to go. More information is available on Facebook.
Puppy adoption event
Saturday, July 12: Come hang out with rescue dogs for a night of cuddling puppies and learning about how to help a local rescue organization. 4 All MuttKind, a foster-based rescue, is teaming up with Ratchet Brewery to host an event with several adoptable dogs and teach people about how they can help through donations and fostering pets.
The event will be from 2-5 p.m. Saturday at the brewery, located at 2475 25th St. S.E. Donations of dog food will be accepted at the event. More information is available on Facebook here.
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.
