EVENTS FOR THE KIDDOS The Salem area is brimming with opportunities to get outside and play, but you don’t need to be a hardcore outdoors enthusiast — or even a kid — to have fun. OREGON AG FEST, APRIL 27-28, 2024 This annual event aims to help families understand where their food, fiber and flora come from, with loads of free and handson activities that make learning about Oregon’s agricultural industry educational and fun. SILVERTON PET PARADE, MAY 18, 2024 Animal lovers from near and far flock to Silverton to see this quirky pet parade each year. The event celebrates pets of all varieties — from pups to snails to llamas — and features marching bands, floats and clowns. Bring your pet and join the fun. ST. PAUL RODEO, JULY 2-6, 2024 Bring your crew to St. Paul for a good old-fashioned rodeo. Cowboys, cowgirls and fans pour into the small Oregon town every year to watch professional bull-riding and roping events. A fireworks display and rides will wow your pickiest kiddos. MARION COUNTY FAIR, JULY 11-14, 2024 The barns are full, the rides are fast and the food is fabulous at this fun fair held at Salem’s Oregon State Fairgrounds. Let your kids pet baby chicks, learn about agriculture, go on rides and eat funnel cakes. POLK COUNTY FAIR, JULY 25-28, 2024 This fair located in Rickreall has four summer days filled with animals and 4-H activities for the entire family. Kids can watch horse jumping and goat shows, plus see cupcake-decorating contests and STEM exhibits. OREGON STATE FAIR, AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 2, 2024 Rides, petting zoos and daredevil performances? Yes, please! Oregon’s official state fair takes place at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, as it has almost every year since 1862. Parents will love the top-notch food and entertainment. HOLIDAYS AT THE SALEM CAROUSEL, NOVEMBER 24-DECEMBER 23, 2024 This monthlong event kicks off when Santa arrives aboard the Carousel Express Train. In addition to riding the classic carousel, kids can get their photos taken with Santa and drink hot cocoa while you shop the arts and crafts market for gifts. GILBERT HOUSE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM “NOON” YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION, DECEMBER 31, 2024 Looking for a family New Year’s Eve event in the Willamette Valley? This celebration welcomes kids of all ages for fun crafts, face painting and an exciting balloon drop at the strike of 12 — 12 noon, that is. ages 3 to 12 in mind, tots are welcome to play in a special toddler section for the 18- to 36-month crowd. A short drive north of downtown Salem will bring you to The Big Toy at Keizer Rapids Park, an extensive playground with classic slides and monkey bars alongside unusual features like a toy xylophone and a nearly lifesize fire truck. There are plenty of other worthwhile attractions just outside of town. The most famous is the Enchanted Forest, an amusement park and a classic Oregon institution. This seasonal spot merges classic carnival rides, storybook characters and elements of medieval England in one delightful theme park. Another seasonal favorite, PuttSkee’s Mini-Golf in the quiet community of Monmouth features an 18-hole mini-golf course that draws putters of all ages. From PuttSkee’s, it’s only about a 15-minute drive to the Dallas Aquatic Center, an indoor pool complex offering plenty for kids and adults alike, including a six-lane lap pool, a warm-therapy pool and a special wading pool for little ones. For a slice of nature, Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge is south of the city and has ample trails and wildlife overlooks, plus a nature center and an outdoor classroom. In the nearby city of Dallas, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and plants. Initially established to be a wintering habitat for dusky Canada geese in 1965, expect to see other regular residents ranging from black-tailed deer and the Western pond turtle to the tiny least sandpiper. Enchanted Forest Jacquie Klose Enchanted Forest Marion County Fair 25 TravelSalem.com
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