July
FREE
2012 The
News for the Mid-Willamette Valley
July Loc Events C al alendar Page 2
Music For Summer Nights
Thousands attend Albany’s free River Rhythms concert sereies at Monteith Riverpark.
By Rick Rogers One of the wonderful benefits of living in the mid-Willamette Valley is the fact that there is a wide array of free concerts you can attend at venues in Albany, Lebanon and Corvallis. Albany has won recognition throughout the west coast for its River Rhythms concert series during July and August at Monteith River Park at the confluence of the Calapooia and Willamette rivers in Downtown Albany. The concerts have become known for drawing thousands of spectators and a host of internationally known entertainers who perform on the park’s large stage. This year will be a little different since the concerts are usually held on Thursday evenings. The first free concert of the series will take place on the evening of Wednesday, July 4, and feature nationally acclaimed blues artist Ty Curtis of Salem. This 4th of July concert will be capped by a spectacular fireworks display along the riverbank. After the July 4 event, River Rhythms will return to Thursday nights with 60’s rock icons “The Lovin Spoonful” on July 12, “Three Dog Night (at the Linn County Fair) on July 19, “War” with great 70’s rock on July 26, “Hot 8 Brass Band” playing New Orleans style brass band music on August 2 and country music legend Ricky Skaggs on August 9. By the way, if you don’t have time to pack a dinner before the concerts, River Rhythms provide a huge choice of food venders to choose from at the park. Besides the River Rhythms concerts, a second concert series at the park called Mondays at Monteith will get underway on the evening of July 9 with the Willamette Valley Concert Band. Other concerts in Albany’s Monday night series include the Albany Swing Band on July 16, the Oregon National Guard 234 Army Band on July 23, the Midnight Serenaders on July 30, Ellen Whyte and Reflex Blue on August 6 and The Knox Brothers Gospel Group on August 13. Concert lovers will not want to miss a series of performances by the Corvallis Community Band at the Gazebo in Central Park located in downtown Corvallis. The concert series will take place on Tuesday evenings July 10, 17, 24 and 31. Lebanon also features a free concert series during the summer on Tuesday nights beginning July 3 and running through August 21. The Lebanon concerts feature a wide choice of music styles performed by some of Oregon’s brightest and best musicians. If you love music, pack up your picnic and head to the parks in downtown Albany, Corvallis and Lebanon this summer. Where else con you find entertainment like this FOR FREE!
There is fun for the whole family at the Linn County Fair.
Let’s Go To The Fair!
The 2012 Linn County Fair, July 19-22 at the Fair and Expo Center in Albany, promises to be the highlight of the summer season with this year’s theme, “Country Pride, County Wide”. The traditions still ring true with the 4-H and FFA animals and exhibits, the open class animals, photography, baked goods, quilts, textiles and small animal shows. The food is unbelievable with the corn dogs, shaved ice, elephant ears and hot dogs. What makes the Linn County Fair special are the “extras” thrown in to make it a family event. Red Canoe Family Land is a highlight and there is none like it at another fair. You can see racing pigs, do the pedal tractor race and see a full size tiger at no extra cost other than gate admission. The bonus is all children that are 12 and under are free and adults are only $7. Seniors are $5 and are offered some special treats on Thursday, July 19. KSHO radio offers great Broadway tunes and free Bingo at 11 am and a free senior ice cream social at 2 pm. All fairgoers get in from 11 am to 3 pm free for both Thursday and Friday of the Linn County
Fair. On Thursday in the arena, we have barrel racing where over 100 young ladies will compete for the title. There are some amazing performers all day long on the main stage, the Family Land Stage and the Expo Stage. Local talent and regional entertainers are constantly performing as walking entertainment and stage shows. There are commercial booths featuring everything from jewelry to food and many displays of artwork and photography. The Headline performers include: Classic rock performers, Three Dog Night on Thursday night, rock and roll legend Eddie Money on Friday night, and country superstars, Sawyer Brown on Saturday night. On Friday, the Dodge Ram Bull Bash in the Calapooia Arena will have fans on their feet. On Saturday, there is a classic Car show in the Park, and the Wild and Wooly in the arena featuring mutton bustin’, mini-bulls and bucking ponies. On Sunday, the Knights of the Realm will perform in the Calapooia Arena for two shows at 1:30 and 4:00 pm. For more information about the Linn County Fair and a schedule of events, go to www.linncountyfair.com. Join us at the 2012 Linn County Fair and get ready for a weekend of old-fashioned fun!
Classic rock group Three Dog Night performs Thursday evening for the opening night of the Linn County Fair.
Kid’s tractor races are a fun part of the Red Canoe Family Land at the fair.
By Jan Taylor, Linn County Fair