Written by: Taylor Duff | Lifestyle Editor
Indigenous Peoples Day — Each year, Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October. A celebration will take place in Salem’s Riverfront Park Oct. 14. Indigenous Peoples Day, formerly known as Columbus Day, commemorates the histories, cultures and perspectives of indigenous peoples and their forebears in North America. The event will feature children’s activities, lecturers, dancers and other attractions. The day raises awareness of Indigenous peoples challenges, tenacity and unique customs, fostering understanding and unity across cultures.
Community Action Harvest Fest — Hosted at the Willamette Heritage Center Oct. 30 from 5 – 9 p.m., the Community Action Harvest Fest is an immersive costume party conducted amidst one of Salem’s most haunted locations, the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. The event will include beverages, dancing, tarot readings and fundraising for the ARCHES homeless initiative. General admission is $40, and there is the Magic of Harvest Fest’s VIP Dye Room for $100, which includes free drinks and food as well as private access and accommodations.
Turner Night Market — Turner, Oregon, will have a night market on 5325 Denver St. from 4 – 9 p.m. Oct. 11, with several food vendors, live music, locally made earth items, beer and wine.
Fazio Farms Corn Maze in the City — Located at the corner of Fazio Way and NE 13th Street, Portland, Oregon. The hours are Monday – Friday from 4 – 8 p.m. and Saturday –- Sunday from 9 – 8 pm. Fazio Farms and Corn Maze offers a fun and immersive corn maze, pumpkin patch, food, drinks and produce tents with fresh corn, pickles, and more.
Yachats Village Mushroom Festival — The Yachats Mushroom Festival runs from Friday, Oct. 18, to Sunday, Oct. 20. The celebration kicks off on Friday night with a mushroom-themed event in the Yachats Commons, complete with cocktails and nibbles. Restaurants in town will serve mushroom-based dishes gathered from the nearby forests. Every festival walk is led by an experienced mycologist, forest ecologist or naturalist.
The Great Onion Festival — The Sherwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Great Onion Festival, an annual event at 16155 Southwest Sunset Blvd., Sherwood, Oregon from 9 – 4 p.m. The celebration includes food, crafts, an onion-eating competition and entertainment. The event commemorates Sherwood’s heritage and the significance of farming in America. Some claim the celebration commemorates a time when people went to tremendous efforts to cultivate the land.
Squishing of The Squash at The Oregon Zoo — The Squishing of the Squash event will take place Oct. 19 – 20 and 26 – 27 at the Portland Zoo. Throughout both weekends, visitors may see the zoo’s enrichment team and keepers give pumpkins and other holiday-themed snacks to the animals. There is also live entertainment, such as magic shows and puppet shows. Adults and children are welcome to dress up for their visit to the zoo. All tickets must be purchased in advance online.
History and Mystery Dallas — History and Mystery is a paranormal tour in Dallas, Oregon, every Saturday at 6 and 8 p.m. The tour covers the history of these awe-inspiring buildings and discusses local mythology about the spooky behind their walls. Certain long-forgotten structures are open for viewers to get a glimpse into the mystique of downtown Dallas.
Annual Hood River Valley Harvest Festival — Hood River Harvest Festival runs Oct. 11, from 1 to 6 p.m., Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The valley’s farms and orchards provide food markets, massive displays of apples, pears, squash, raw honey, stunning flowers and local plants and herbs. It also features live music, restaurants and food trucks. Merchants of homemade goods are selling locally made hats, candles, cheese, jams, carpentry, paintings, apparel and jewelry.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta — Held in the Lake of the Commons, 8325 SW Nyberg St., Tualatin, Oregon, 97062 Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. since 2004, The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta has been one of Oregon’s most well-known fall festivals. People from all across the country have gathered to see costumed individuals race enormous pumpkin boats. Pumpkin racing occurs between 12 and 2 p.m., and food, entertainment, pumpkin bowling and pumpkin golf are also available.
Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu
