August 2015 • FREE
Balloon Time
This pool of water rings can befound at the Oregon Garden northeast of Salem.
One Day Stay-cations by Rick Rogers Here in the mid-valley we are really blessed with many options on how to spend our free time. For the most part, our weather is usually mild compared to the rest of the country, allowing us to plan for a lot of great family activities. We are only an hour or two away from the coast, the mountains, big cities, small rural towns, celebrations of all types, and an abundant array of state, county, and city parks. Sometimes we wind up with a day off, chores around home caught up, and the dilemma of whatto-do! May I first recommend a tour of mid-valley museums? Nearly every city and town has a museum highlighting local history and even more are in the planning stages. Don’t miss the Albany Regional Museum, the Pioneer Museums in Sweet Home and Brownsville, local history museums in Scio and Harrisburg, and you will certainly want to visit the museum in Philomath. Also plan on spending some time at the wonderful Mission Mill Museum and the historic A.C. Gilbert House in Salem, honoring the inventor of Erector Sets and many other nostalgic toys. These are just to name a few. While you are in these cities and towns, don’t forget to visit the many
Acres of vineyards are visible during a mid-valley wine country tour.
antique shops where you will find many treasures that allow you to take a piece of history home with you. Albany is also a great place to enjoy local history with tours of its two history districts and a large selection of Victorian homes. You may also want to design a day visiting the many wineries spread throughout the mid-valley. Or perhaps trips include jaunts off of Highway 22 east of Salem to visit the impressive Silver Creek Falls and the Oregon Garden, both near Silverton. The mid-valley also features one of the largest selections of old-time covered wooden bridges in the Northwest. Many of them are near park areas; perfect spots for a mid-summer picnic. Albany is really fortunate to have a knowledgeable, staffed office at Third Avenue and Lyon Street in the downtown area that can help you with maps, brochures, and up to date information on not only the local area, but the entire state and its many attractions. See their ad in this issue of High Points for complete contact information, or go online to: www.albanyvisitors.com. So the next time the family says, “I’m bored, there is nothing to do,” you can say, “Nonsense!” From all of us at High Points, have a great summer!
Silver Creek Falls near Silverton is a favorite spot for visitors.
photo by Oliver J. Anderson
Crowds gather to watch the inflating of the giant balloons at the ATL Art and Air Festival.
by Rick Rogers Hot air balloons will fill the sky over Albany August 21 through 23 during the annual ATI Art and Air Festival at Timber Linn Park. Dozens of hot air balloons entusiasts come to the Albany event each year to launch their balloons into the sky at 6:45AM each of the three days, weather permitting. Viewers pack the park to watch the takeoffs each morning as the huge balloons fill the sky with color, but that is just the start of three days of fun, excitement, entertainment, and wonder for young and old alike. Those visiting the park will have a chance to wander through over seventy booths filled with art, craft, and food vendors. Saturday will be highlighted by an “Art of Cars” car show. Youngsters ages 8 through 17 will have a chance to take an airplane flight over Albany with the Young Eagles program at the adjacent Albany Municipal Airport. There will also be a Family Fun Zone filled with activities and family entertainment during the entire event. In addition, big name entertainment will be on the main stage at the park, featuring Curtis Salgado on Friday night, Daughtry on Saturday night, and Stone In Love on Sunday afternoon. One of the weekend’s highlights is the Night Glow event at dusk on Friday night where several of the colorful balloons are lit and inflated on the ground creating a panorama of color which is a must see for visitors to the park after dark. Admission to the ATI Art and Air Festival is free. However, there is a parking fee of five dollars per vehicle which takes effect each day after the early morning balloon liftoffs. For more information about this fun, family event, please see the large ad on the back page of this issue of High Points.