What to do in Salem from Sept. 18-24: Pride in the Park, Urban Art Fest, Kroc Family Fair

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, Sept. 18, to Wednesday, Sept. 24.

*Starred events are free to attend, although they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation.

Pride in the Park

*Saturday, Sept. 20: Salem’s annual Pride event returns to Riverfront Park this weekend for its 47th year. Pride in the Park, organized by Salem Capital Pride, draws thousands of visitors during the one-day event – last year, organizers expected around 9,000 attendees. Over 200 vendors will fill the park, bringing activities, resources, food and entertainment. Performances include drag, a best dressed pet contest, Irish dance and the Confluence LGBT Chorus.

Pride in the Park will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. N.E. More information is available on Salem Capital Pride’s website.

Urban Art Fest

*Sunday, Sept. 21: Salem’s Urban Art Fest is returning for its 11th year. In its second year back after a Covid pandemic hiatus, the festival will bring together artists, dancers, car lovers and musicians. This year, the festival is dedicated to Salem’s immigrant community, according to the event description on Facebook. 

The event is organized by Latinos Unidos Siempre, a youth-led grassroots organization. The free festival will go from 3-8 p.m. at Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. N.E. More information is available on Facebook.

Salem Talks Science

*Thursday, Sept. 18: Interested in learning all about furry sea creatures and their role in the ecosystem? Salem Talks Science will be back at Venti’s Cafe for another free talk about science — this time about sea otters. Chanel Hason, outreach and community relations director for a conservation nonprofit, will talk about the importance of sea otters to coastal ecosystems, the otters’ disappearance and how people are trying to bring them back.

The free event is open to all ages and will start at 6:30 p.m. Venit’s Cafe is located downtown at 325 Court St. N.E. More information is available on Facebook.

Kroc Family Fair

*Saturday, Sept. 20: Head to the Kroc Center for a day of free access to the center, including swimming, crafts and local vendors. The annual Kroc Family Fair will open the doors for families with bounce houses, pony rides and rock wall climbing. The center is providing free family passes for the day and waiving its $75 fee for new members joining.

Along with the Kroc Center facilities, dozens of local vendors will be at the fair with giveaways. The family fair starts at 11 a.m. and goes to 3 p.m. The Kroc Center is located at 1865 Billy Frey Dr. N.E. More information is available on the center’s Facebook.

Willamette Grape Stomp

Saturday, Sept. 20 – Sunday, Sept. 21: Willamette Valley Vineyards is hosting another year of its annual grape stomping competition. Teams of people will compete in stomping grapes in barrels to collect the most juice and win a prize. People are welcome to watch the competition, enjoy live music and partake in wine tasting and a special menu. There will also be a children’s grape stomp, which is free for kids 12 and under to enter.

General admission tickets to the event are $35 for non-members. People under 21 do not have to pay for general admission. Tickets are available online. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Willamette Valley Vineyards in Turner, 8800 Enchanted Way S.E. More information is available online.

Free classical concert

*Sunday, Sept. 21: A local music organization is hosting a series of free chamber concerts starting this week. Camerata Musica is starting its fall concert series with viola, cello, piano and violin performances. The full lineup of musicians is on the group’s website.

The concert will start at 2:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, located at 5090 Center St. N.E. The next free concert will be Sunday, Oct. 5.