May 13, 2026 |
Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor
For those who are planning on sticking around during the summer, here are some upcoming events that are definitely worth looking into.
Monmouth Has Pride — A family friendly celebration held every year on the first Saturday of June, pride month, the Monmouth Has Pride event is set to take place June 6, 2026 at the Main Street Amphitheater Park. The event is scheduled to last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there will be vendors, exhibitors, food and performances. I personally have attended this event and it was not only really fun, but a very welcoming and loving experience. For more information about the event, visit monmouthpride.com.
Taimane concert — The Smith Fine Arts Series is tasked throughout the year with bringing in world-class performing artists. The final artist they will host for the 2025-26 school year is Taimane, an American ukulele virtuoso and composer. She is described on the Smith Fine Arts Series website as someone with “the fierceness of a rocker and the grace of a dancer.” She is known for her enormous range on the ukulele, being able to play a variety from Bach to Led Zeppelin. She won the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award for favorite entertainer of the year in 2019. Her most viewed YouTube video is her rendition of Carmen/Phantom of the Opera, which she played on the ukulele. The video itself has over 4.1 million views. She will perform June 6, 2026 at Rice Auditorium. The event takes place at 7:30 p.m. and tickets for her performance are $30. To purchase tickets and view more information, visit https://wou.edu/smith/.
The Witch’s Princess — The Apple Box Children’s Theater is a community theater program that allows kids to be a part of a production, with their mission being that regardless of the background of a child, they will be put “on stage in order to boost their confidence, enhance teamwork skills, and build responsibility and accountability in their characters.” They partner both with Western and Central High School to provide opportunities to educate beyond their performances.
Every year in July, they host a summer play that anyone can come see for free, though they do accept donations. This year, they will be performing The Witch’s Princess. They recently did auditions for this production in late April, but the performance dates are TBD. Historically, though, the event takes place around the week of July 10, so keep an eye out for more information about this production. Audience members are encouraged to bring either chairs or picnic blankets to be able to enjoy the performance comfortably.
Fourth of July festival — The city of Monmouth sponsors and plans out a July 4th Festival every year that takes place July 3 and 4. While there will, of course, be food, craft vendors and live entertainment, the festival particularly celebrates the arts, such as dance, music and theater. The city of Monmouth is currently calling for vendors to submit applications for the event by June 30, but they have confirmed a few of the events taking place.
There will be children’s arts and crafts that will provide the opportunity for kids to be able to make their own art pieces.
There will also be a mini-marathon that is 2.6 miles long, starting outside of the Monmouth Fitness Club and ending at Main Street in Independence. The mini-marathon will begin at 11:30 a.m., with participants being instructed to line up at 11:15. Race entry fees for those 9 and under are $10 until June 30. Ages 10 and up are $20 until June 15, $25 on June 16 till July 3 and $30 on the race day.
A tennis tournament that has been a part of this celebration for 46 years will also be happening, along with a vintage car show that will drive any car enthusiasts crazy.
The star of the show, without question, is the grand parade. The parade goes throughout town from Monmouth Avenue to Main Street to Riverview Park in Independence. For anyone wanting more information about this event or to register for any of these, please visit the city of Monmouth website.
Free music and performances — Music is very much loved in this area, along with parks, food and alcoholic beverages.
In Monmouth, an event known as Music in the Park occurs, where every week, a different artist or band will perform live music. The event is free, and those who come are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets, though pets are asked to stay at home. It takes place on Wednesdays from the second week of July to the end of August in the Main Street Park Amphitheater. Food, beer and wine are available at the park for the performances.
In Independence, there is the River’s Edge Summer Series. The city of Independence hosts this series of events at the Riverview Park Amphitheater in downtown Independence, which sits along the Willamette River. This series begins with free movies in the park, which, as the name suggests, allows for outdoor movie nights under the stars. Then there is the summer concert series, which, similar to Music in the Park, has live music, vendors and a beer garden. Tickets for these concerts are $5 and children 10 and under can get in for free. The gates open at 5 p.m. Opening bands begin at 6 p.m., while the headliner begins at 8 p.m. The first date for concerts is July 10, although the bands are still to be determined.
In Dallas, there are Dallas Nights, which have actually started and will continue till October. On certain Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., there will be a local market, activities, local food and live music at the Rotary Amphitheatre at the corner of Academy and Main Street in Dallas. The market is available the entire time and the concerts start at 6 p.m.
The event is free to attend, though there is a VIP package that one can purchase for either $20 a show or $150 for the whole season. The package gives the purchaser a reserved spot in the beer garden (if the person is 21 or older), a VIP lanyard, a meet and greet with the band/artist if applicable and special perks with each concert.
The next Dallas Night will happen May 22 with the theme being Grooves and Goods. The band playing will be Skip Jones & The Spirit of New Orleans, who are described to play vintage R&B “with a New Orleans twist.”
I strongly recommend any of these events and encourage all who read this to take it easy this summer. This year has brought many challenges for students, professors and faculty alike. I think that all of us deserve to have some fun this summer. Drink responsibly.
Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu
