This weekend’s list of activities include tacos in Blodgett, a pow-wow at Gill Coliseum and a new festival in Monroe.
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 thrown in.
Friday, May 17
Ashbrook Independent School, which is located not too far from Philomath on Research Way in west Corvallis, will be the venue for the Oregon State University Theatre and Music presentation of “Sunday in the Park with George” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets ($17 general, $15 senior/youth, $5 OSU student) are available online. A musical by Stephen Sondheim, the performance fuses fact and fantasy while exploring the life and mind of pointillist painter George Seurat. A final performance will be at 2 p.m. May 18.
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Maxtivity’s Graphic Activism class with Louisa Hamachek runs from 7-9 p.m. The class focuses on using your artistic voice for social change. The cost is $30. Call 541-714-3443 for information.
Saturday, May 18
The annual Taco Bar and Auction at Blodgett Elementary begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6 and the auction at 7. This event is a fundraiser for the Blodgett-Summit Community Club’s scholarship fund.
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The Philomath High School girls track and field team will be trying to win its third straight 4A state title in Eugene at Hayward Field. The Warriors will need to fight off a few other schools for top honors but are considered the favorites. The PHS boys also have qualifiers and hope to be in contention for a top-four trophy. The meet begin at 9:30 a.m. with field events. The track events get started at 12:30 p.m.
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The 24th annual Gary Cox Memorial Philomath Warrior Golf Scramble begins at 7:30 a.m. at Diamond Woods Golf Course at Monroe. The deadline passed to participate. Money raised from the event goes to the Philomath Booster Club, which helps support Philomath athletics and activities in various ways..
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The 45th annual łatwa ina Pow-Wow is scheduled for Saturday Gill Coliseum in Corvallis. Grand entry is scheduled for 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Doors open at noon. This free event features Indigenous dancers, singers, a marketplace and fry bread.
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Historic Preservation Northwest plans to host a cemetery cleaning workshop from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Kings Valley Cemetery. The free workshop will be led by David Pinyerd and Bernadette Niederer. Registration not required.
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A new event in Monroe to celebrate that community’s logging heritage arrives with the inaugural Monroe BBQ and Logging Festival. It will run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in downtown Monroe and has free admission. Activities include live music, crafts, adult beverages (beer, wine, spirits), food, family activities and more. (Unfortunately, organizers said a barbecue competition and an antique log truck cruise had to be canceled because of a lack of applicants).
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A night of full-contact roller derby is coming to the Linn County Expo Center over in Albany. Doors open at 5 and the first whistle is scheduled for 6. The Sick Town Roller Derby team will host West Sound Roller Derby out of Kitsap County. Concessions include a food truck, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages and donuts. Described as a family-friendly event.
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We’ve got one more weekend before the Philomath Farmers’ Market makes its 2024 debut but if you’ve got the itch to get some fruit and veggies in an outdoor shopping venue, the Corvallis Farmers Market is offered each Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on First Street in the downtown area.
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The Corvallis-Gondar Walk for Water is an event going from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Benton County Fairgrounds to raise awareness and funds for water access in Corvallis’ sister city of Gondar, Ethiopia. Participants will walk a 5K (the average distance a girl walks in Gondar to get water) and afterward enjoy activities, music, Ethiopian food, a raffle, informative booths and more. The cost is $20 for one walker, $30 for two and $50 for a family. Proceeds go toward the construction of wells in Gondar.
Sunday, May 19
If the weather looks good, this might be a great time to check out a Philomath park. Here are your choices:
>> Philomath City Park on South 23rd Street. Several amenities, two playgrounds, covered shelters that can be reserved, ballfield, Newton Creek, skatepark.
>> Marys River Park and Natural Area on South 11th Street. Lots of open space, 28 acres in all. Marys River, disc golf course, playground, nature trail with bridges.
>> Flossie Overman Discovery Park on North 11th Street. Natural playscapes park with sand pump, boulders and logs plus a basketball court, swings and a slide.
>> Westbrook Park on Jade Place. Neighborhood park with basketball court, playground, covered picnic area and a walking path.
>> Paul J. Cochran Veterans Memorial Park on College Street. It’s not officially open yet but the public is welcome to enjoy what’s in place, including a new playground.
>> Newton Creek Park and Path that runs from Applegate Street west of 27th Street to Main Street. This is a paved bike path that runs parallel to East Newton Creek. Two playgrounds can be found along the way. The path on the north end connects with a trail headed toward Corvallis.
>> Triangle Park. A neighborhood park, this spot has a playground area and small basketball court, as well as a covered shelter.
>> Reservoir Park. Located on the east end of Applegate Street, this spot was the location of the city’s original water reservoir. The neighborhood park has great views, picnic table, park bench and connects with Neabeack Hill.
>> Pioneer Park. This pocket park is located on Pioneer Street and features nice landscaping and a spot to relax.
>> Dale Collins Park. Located along the highway couplet where Applegate curves into Main (look for the readerboard), it features public art, bench and picnic table with shade trees.
