Carlee WrightWhere can you marvel at magnified bees and bugs, explore a musical instrument “petting zoo” and listen to live music under the shade of a white oak tree?
The Englewood Forest Festival, of course!
And after a two-year hiatus due to Covid, this free, family-friendly event returns on August 13 to bring a day of fun to the picturesque setting of Englewood Park, which is not only the oldest park in Salem, but was also developed by the notable design duo Lord & Schryver. The seven-acre green space is home to many endangered white oaks, Cooper’s hawks and numerous other trees and birds.
Paradise of Samoa will perform at 11 a.m.
The festival is a celebration of art and the environment highlighting the Northeast neighborhood; local craftspeople and performers; and eco-education. Attendees can browse the work and wares of 36 art vendors plus visit 29 nonprofits and community service organizations.
Two stages will bring non-stop entertainment with live music and dance performances by local blues rockers Ty Curtis Band, Russian concert pianist Asya Gulua, classical guitar and cello duo of Isaac Engel & Leah Burleson, ENLACE Cross-Cultural Ballet Folklorico Guelaguetza, Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Dance Troup and Bollywood East Indian dance and more. (Scroll down for the music and dance schedule)
Asya Gulua will perform at 3 p.m. Aug 13 at the Englewood Forest Festival
On the environmental awareness side, Marion County is hosting a Repair Fair and Share event that aims to connect people who can repair stuff with people who need their stuff repaired while teaching folks practical repair skills they can use in the future. Click here to RSVP to let them know about your repair. Walk-ups are welcome, too! Additionally, the Northwest Hub will also be making free small bicycle repairs between 10 a.m. and 2 pm.
The festival offers multiple opportunities to get hands-on with art and the environment. A few of the highlights include —
- Create native plant rubbings with Marion Soil & Water Conservation District.
- Make a seed ball from compost and native wildflower seeds with LifeSource Natural Foods.
- Dye and weave fibers with Willamette Heritage Center.
- Learn about trees from Friends of Trees.
- Take a neighborhood walk with the Willamette Wanderers (10:30 a.m.)
- Try your feet at Celtic social dancing with Ceili of the Valley dancers.
- Draw, paint and learn about the birds in Englewood Park with activities led by Englewood artist Lynn Takata, Salem Audubon Society, and OSU 4-H.
Although just one day, the organizers of the Englewood Forest Festival have planned a thoughtful event that aims to entertain, educate and engage all ages, but don’t just take our word for it. Check it out yourself —
2022 Englewood Forest Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, August 13
Where: Englewood Park, 1260 19th St. NE
Cost: Free
Parking: Available in the east parking lot at Salem First Church of the Nazarene,1550 Market St NE and at Evergreen Church, 1110 17th St. NE
Info: www.englewoodforestfestival.org
Main Stage
- 10 a.m. — Ceili of the Valley, Celtic social dance
- 11 a.m. — Phoenix, Folk pop
- 12 p.m. — Isaac Engel & Leah Burleson, Classical guitar and cello
- 1 p.m. — Ty Curtis Band, Blues-rock
- 2:30 p.m. — Ballet Folklorico Guelaguetza, Traditional dance from Oaxaca, Michoacan & Jalisco
- 3:15 p.m. — Colores de America, Latino
Performing Arts Stage
- 11 a.m. — Paradise of Samoa, Polynesian dance troupe
- 12 p.m. — Bollywood, East Indian dance
- 2 p.m. — Premiere Academy of Performing Arts, Ballet
- 3 p.m. — Asya Gulua, Classical pianist. Benefit for Ukrainian refugee family
Author: Carlee Wright
Carlee Wright is a community instigator with a grand love for Salem and notably fashionable shoes (Hello, John Fluevog!) who turns waste into wearable art in her "spare" time.
The Instigator
