Memorial Day Weekend is upon us, and Salem is ready with exciting events to kick off the beginning of summer. With live music and comedy, wine tasting, and adoptable kittens on the lineup, you can’t go wrong. Let’s take a look at just a few of the events going on around town.
Wonderly! Live at the Gov Cup (Rescheduled from 4/26/24)
The Governor’s Cup is excited to present an evening with Wonderly, the dynamic musical duo from Portland, featuring Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk. Known for their eclectic blend of music and instruments, Wonderly has crafted soundtracks for indie films and theme songs for notable podcasts like The New York Times’ “The Daily” and Cheryl Strayed’s “Dear Sugar Radio.” Their music, characterized by rich harmonies and compelling storytelling, spans genres from symphonic soundscapes to twangy Americana and vibrant pop. The show will be 21+ only.
Date: May 24, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM (Doors at 6:30 PM)
Location: The Governor’s Cup // 471 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: $10 (view ticket information)
Best in the West Classic AA Rally
The soap box derby is returning to Bush’s Pasture Park this Memorial Day weekend after a five-year hiatus! The event features young competitors in home-built, engineless cars competing on the only official track on the West Coast. Spectators can enjoy the races for FREE. Racers can register and weigh-in on-site from 8 AM Saturday, with limited loaner cars available. Bring the whole family for a weekend of racing fun—soap box derby is BACK!
Date: May 25 – 26, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Bush’s Pasture Park “Derby Hill” // 600 Mission St SE, Salem, OR 97302
Cost: FREE to watch, $35 to race.
Memorial Day Weekend at Willamette Valley Vineyards – Estate Winery
Kick off your Memorial Day Weekend with a delightful wine tasting at Willamette Valley Vineyards’ Estate Winery in the scenic Salem Hills. Each ticket includes a pour of their featured wines and a $10 credit toward the purchase of any bottle. Enjoy live music, relaxed seating, and barside service all weekend long. Tickets are $30 per person, or $15 for Club Members and Owners.
Date: May 25 – 27, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Willamette Valley Vineyards – Estate Winery // 8800 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, OR 97392
Cost: $15 – $30 (view ticket information)
CUBAN STYLE Memorial Day Weekend
Cubanisimo Vineyards invites everyone to a Memorial Day Weekend celebration featuring live music, dancing, wine, food, and fun! This three-day event will feature performances by Pura Vida, Son de Cuba, and the James Howard Band. Drinks will include wine, beer, and soda, with food provided by El Vaquero.
Admission Details:
- Wine Club Member + 1 Guest: Free General Admission
- $5 Wine Club Member Upgrade: Includes entry, 1 drink ticket, a souvenir wine glass, and a raffle entry
- $30 General Admission: Includes entry and 1 drink ticket
- $35 Upgraded Admission: Includes entry, 1 drink ticket, a souvenir wine glass, and a raffle entry
- $10 Designated Driver: Includes entry and 1 non-alcoholic beverage
- $5 Kids under 15: Includes entry and 1 non-alcoholic beverage
- Free Admission for Military individuals with proof of service
(Tickets are not specific to a particular day, but you will need one ticket for each day you plan to attend. For example, attending all three days requires three tickets, while attending one day requires one ticket usable on any day).
Date: May 25 – 27, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Music from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Location: Cubanisimo Vineyards // 1754 Best Rd NW, Salem, OR 97304
Cost: Varies (view ticket information)
Memorial Weekend: Música + Bo & Vine Smash Burgers
Celebrate Memorial Weekend with “good times and great wines” at Coria Estates. Enjoy mouthwatering smash burgers, delicious chicken sandwiches, and fresh fries from Bo & Vine. Don’t miss out on the food, vibrant music, award-winning wines, and panoramic views this Memorial Day Weekend.
Live Music:
- May 25: Randy Byrnes, 3 PM – 5 PM
- May 26: Douglas Allen, 3 PM – 5 PM
Date: May 25 – 26, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Music each day from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Location: Coria Estates // 8252 Redstone Ave SE, Salem, OR 97306
Cost: Varies (view reservation information)
Fruit Thinning & Summer Fruit Tree Planting
OSU Master Gardeners will lead a workshop on the proper techniques for thinning fruit and planting fruit trees. By selectively removing small fruit from trees, gardeners can produce larger, more flavorful, and higher-quality fruit. This process also helps to avoid the cycle of having an abundant harvest one year and little to none the next. Participants are welcome to bring clean and sharp hand pruners. The workshop is FREE but pre-registering is required. For those who cannot attend this weekend, there is another workshop on Wednesday, May 29th.
Date: May 25, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Marion Demonstration Garden // 3180 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE (pre-registration required)
Kitten Palooza Adoption Event, Fundraiser, and Food Drive
Join popular social media influencer, Moshow the Cat Rapper, and Friends of Felines for a Kitten Palooza Adoption Event, fundraiser, and food drive! Come get your photo taken with Moshow for a small monetary donation or a donated bag of dry cat food, and get yourself some “kitten therapy” with adoptable kittens. Due to limited parking, attendees are encouraged to carpool, use public transit, or opt for a rideshare or taxi service.
Date: May 25, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Friends of Felines // 4157 Cherry Ave NE, Salem, OR 97303
Cost: FREE
Latin Dance Class for Beginners at the Salem Kroc Center
The Salem Kroc Center invites you to drop in on Saturday evenings to learn basic Latin dances such as salsa, merengue, bachata, and more. This beginner-level class provides step-by-step instruction for adults who want to enjoy dance. Participants can bring friends and enjoy a lively dance fiesta.
The event includes the first hour of instruction followed by an hour of open dance for practicing the new moves. Whether attending as a couple or flying solo, the classes operate on a rotation basis to make sure everyone gets to dance with different partners.
Date: May 25, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Salem Kroc Center // 1865 Bill Frey Dr NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE for Kroc members, $10 non-members
Paint and Laugh: Painting with a Comedic Twist at Infinity Room
Step into a night of creativity and laughter at Infinity Room this weekend! Guided by talented comedians, participants will create their own artwork, with all supplies provided—including canvases, brushes, and paints.
As the name suggests, this event isn’t just about painting—it’s also about enjoying a comedy show that will keep you laughing and entertained. Bring friends, family, or even a date for a memorable experience.
Paint and Laugh tickets are $25, which include all painting supplies (limited availability). For those who prefer to enjoy the show without painting, Watch and Laugh tickets are available for $15. Doors open at 6 PM, and the show starts at 7 PM. Note that this is an all-ages show, but the material will not be clean.
Additionally, Infinity Room offers a full kitchen and bar menu before and during the show.
Date: May 25, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM (Doors at 6:00 PM)
Location: Infinity Room // 210 Liberty St SE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: $15 – $25 (view ticket information)
A Jane Austen & Bridgerton Ball
Step into the ballroom of your favorite Jane Austen adaptation or Bridgerton season on May 25th! Speckled Sofa Events will host a Jane Austen & Bridgerton Ball, featuring English Country Dancing taught by Laura Hatch.
Attendees should don their regency costumes and perfect their English accents for an evening of dancing, role-playing, and parading around the ballroom. Refreshments will be served, and costumes are required. This event is open to ages 12 and up.
Date: May 25, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Historic Ball Building // 5325 Denver St SE, Turner, OR 97392
Cost: $35 per person (view ticket information)
Wow, what a lineup! With so many exciting events happening in Salem this week, there’s no shortage of fun to be had. Be sure to mark your calendars and join in the festivities.
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