The summer’s events are starting to wind down but there’s still plenty to do in and around Philomath.
You can start off the weekend Friday evening at Cardwell Hill Cellars for some jazz. On Saturday, run over to Newport during the day for a sandcastle-building contest and then in the evening head to the Northwest Art & Air Festival in Albany for the Wynona concert. On Sunday, catch the Philomath Farmers’ Market between 11 and 3 and hit the Music in the Park’s season-ending performance in the evening.
Here’s a rundown of Philomath events and activities for the weekend — defined here as 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday — along with a selected few from neighboring communities.
Friday, Aug. 23
Cardwell Hill Cellars has plans for a Friday evening concert with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the music beginning at 6 p.m. Jazz Palzz, a Corvallis-based six-member jazz band, will be performing. Tickets are $10. Wine will be available by the glass or the bottle. Snacks are available for purchase; attendees are welcome to bring their own picnic. To find Cardwell Hill Cellars from Philomath, head west on Highway 20 and take a right on Kings Valley Highway. After a mile-and-a-half, turn right onto Cardwell Hill Drive. The Cardwell gate is on the left side about three-fourths of a mile down the road.
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If you want to make a run over to Albany, the Northwest Art & Air Festival begins Friday and runs into Sunday morning at Timber Linn Park. The festival features hot-air balloons, music, car show, art vendors and family activities. On this evening, Rockit Radio will be the featured band (5-6 p.m., 7-8:30 p.m. and 9-9:45 p.m.) and the Friday Night Glow will take place at dusk, weather permitting. Free admission but parking Friday and Saturday is $10. The park is located at 900 Price Road SE.
Saturday, Aug. 24
With summer almost over, you might want to take a trip to the coast to enjoy the beach and a two-hour stretch from 10 a.m.-noon could be fun. That’s because the annual Sandcastle Competition returns to South Beach State Park. The free family-friendly event, which dates back to 2001, is an opportunity to indulge your creative side. Teams will have two hours to build their sandcastles. Participants, spectators and park staff will vote for their favorite creations. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in the general vote as well as a judges’ choice award for the staff favorite. Registration begins at 9:45 a.m. with sandcastle building time from 10 a.m.-noon and prizes announced at 1 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to arrive anytime and vote for their favorites beginning at noon. The event will be held in the day-use area at South Beach State Park in Newport. Free parking and participation.
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Philomath Museum’s “The Big Picture: American Quilts From the Volckening Collection” exhibit is up at the Moreland Gallery on the second floor. The show, which will remain in place through Oct. 12, features the collection of Bill and Linda Volckening with quilts that go back as far as the 18th century. On the museum’s ground floor, the “What Is It?” exhibition remains with objects that were used locally in the past and would have been familiar to most people living then — an opportunity to enjoy your encounters with the past. Philomath Museum is open from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is free.
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The Jumble Sale, a new event that’s serving as a fundraiser for the Build A Better Skate Park organization, will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Philomath City Park. You’ll find this activity at the park’s No. 2 shelter, which is located on the other side of the creek. We’re told that most everything will be sold for $1 but there will be a “boutique” table with items priced at $2 on up.
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The Northwest Art & Air Festival continues at Timber Linn Park in Albany. The headline music act on the main stage Saturday will be Wynonna Judd, the celebrated country music singer. The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. The concert is free but organizers add that donations are strongly encouraged. There are various other bands performing during the day and early evening on the festival stage. Free admission, $10 for parking. The park is located at 900 Price Road SE.
Sunday, Aug. 25
The Music in the Park concert series dates back to 2016 when it was established by the city’s new Park Advisory Board. At the time, organizers said they were committed to the concerts for five years to see if the idea took off. Eight years later, the concert series is still going strong and the park board even added a second monthly concert. This season’s finale will take place Sunday with Family Tradition, which plays classic rock tunes. The free concerts at Philomath City Park begin at 6 p.m. Mud Oven Pizza is typically serving at the Sunday concerts.
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The Philomath Farmers’ Market enters its 14th week in front of Philomath Community Library. The event goes from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with a vendor list that includes produce, other food items, crafts, services and information. The POP Club for kids is also available. The market accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cards and Double Up Food Bucks, which match SNAP purchases up to $20 each week for fresh produce and food products.
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The annual Jazz Festival at Common Fields in Corvallis is scheduled to run from noon-8 p.m. Scheduled performers include Choro Na Cozina at 12:30 p.m., Charlene & Her Champagne Bruts at 1:45 p.m., Idle Hands Trio at 3 p.m., Ben Mutschler Trio at 4:15 p.m. and Jazz Palzz at 6:15 p.m. Philomath’s own Compton Winery as well as Corazon and Tyee Wine Cellar will be on site with wine. Plus, there is a snack lineup that includes oysters, tapas, cheese and charcuterie. There is a $5 cover charge for admission. For $20, you get a class and three tasting tokens. Additional tokens are $4 each.
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The Northwest Art & Air Festival wraps up at Timber Linn Park in Albany with hot-air balloon liftoffs beginning at 6:45 a.m. The park is located at 900 Price Road SE.