Summer is such a magical time in Oregon! The days are warm, the nights are cool, and the clouds are gone, if only for a few months. It’s the time to get outside and enjoy life! We’re making it easy for you with a whole month’s worth of events the whole family will love, from the Marion County Fair to gardening with the masters, to a huge Fourth of July celebration and 5k to benefit hungry families in Oregon! Plus, you won’t want to miss the Water Lantern Festival in Salem—a truly magical night. Get out there and enjoy this summer! It will be gone before you know it.  

 

July 3-6

 Independence Days has fun activities for all ages! Live music, three-mile long grand parade, carnival rides, scavenger hunts, food vendors, a rubber ducky derby on the river, and the best fireworks show in Oregon! The spectacular fireworks show and live entertainment every day are made possible through a gate admission fee of $2 per person on July 4th and $1 per person on July 6thfor ages 6 and up. 

 

When: 6:30-11pm

Where: Riverview Park, 50 C Street, Independence, Oregon 97351

More Information: www.independencedays.org/

 

 

July 4 

 What better way to spend the Fourth of July than with a hometown parade and a spectacular fireworks display! The parade begins at 11 a.m. and fireworks at 10:00 p.m. The firework display will be held at the baseball/softball fields between the high school and middle school. Be sure to bring plenty of water as hot weather is expected!

 

When: 11-10pm

Where: Mt. Angel High School 

More Information: www.ci.mt-angel.or.us/general/page/mt-angel-4th-july-celebration

 

July 13

 Race to Save the Harvest is a 3k & 5k Family Fun Run/Walk supporting Salem Harvest. All funds will be used to gather fresh produce from area farms and backyards that would go to waste and make it available for hungry families in the Willamette Valley.  $20 adult, $12 kids (5-12yrs).

 

When: 5:30pm

Where: 200 Water Street NE, Salem

More Information: www.RunSignUp.com/RacetoSavetheHarvest 

 

 

July 11-14 

 Popular attractions at the Marion County Fair include the inflatables and carnival rides, fun activities to win prizes, plus live music on the main stage — there will be entertainment for the whole family! Plus, each day has a fun theme and discounts! Agricultural Day is all about livestock, 4-H, FFA, and plenty of activity in the livestock barns, including animal viewing and contests – there is an animal to see for everyone.  The livestock auction occurs on Ag Day and is a favorite of 4H/FFA members, their families, and the local community. Kids 12 and under are free all day on Family Fun Day, July 14! Meet Superheroes and feel the FORCE of Star Wars Characters and even a Disney Princess or two.

 

When: 10am-11pm

Where: Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. NE, Salem

More Information: http://marioncountyfair.net

July 20

 Join us for a day in the garden at Brooks Winery in a class with their Master Gardener. Barbara will teach on integrative planting for soil development, water conservation and pest reduction. She will also discuss garden designs that reserve space for deer and other wildlife, while also protecting kitchen crops. At the conclusion of the class you'll be able to select produce to go and enjoy lunch and a glass of wine on the patio. $50.

 

When: 10-1pm

Where: 21101 SE Cherry Blossom Lane, Amity

More Information: www.brookswine.com/event/gardening-class/?instance_id=408

 

July 27

Voted #1 Festival by USA Today, the Water Lantern Festival is filled with happiness, and great memories that you'll cherish for a lifetime. While they're called many things such as lantern festivals, lights festivals, floating lanterns, or Chinese lanterns - only Water Lantern Festival allows you to Light The Water in a way you'll never forget. Now you can experience the magic of thousands of lanterns as the soft lights reflect upon the water. This is a family friendly event that can be shared by everyone.

 

When: 6-10pm

Where: Cascade Gateway, 2100 Turner Rd SE, Salem

More Information: www.waterlanternfestival.com/salem.php