The weather forecast looks awesome and that’s good news because there are a lot of events going on this weekend in Philomath. From Friday night’s homecoming football game to Saturday’s Harvest Fest, open house-health fair at the fire station and cross-country, there’s no shortage of fun options. Heck, you can even venture into the PHS gym to watch a pro team’s basketball tryouts or to put your kids in the free skills camp.
Those are just a few of the events going on. Here’s a rundown of Philomath events and activities for the weekend — defined here as Friday evening through Sunday — along with a selected few from neighboring communities.
Friday, Oct. 11
Philomath High’s homecoming football game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Clemens Field. The Warriors (5-0) will face Stayton (4-1) in what figures to be the home team’s biggest challenge so far this season. In the latest OSAAtoday coaches poll, the Warriors are ranked No. 5 and the Eagles are at No. 6. During halftime, the high school’s homecoming royalty will be announced. General admission tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students in grades K-12, free for children under age 6 and senior citizens 65 and over. Reserved seats are available for $6.
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Marys River Grange will host its monthly bingo night from 6-8:30 p.m. The cost is $10 for 10 games (three cards each) and $1 for blackout tickets. Bingo nights take place at Marys River Grange Hall monthly on the second Friday. Bingo has helped the grange establish a new revenue stream for paying the bills.
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An event outside of Philomath but one that might draw interest is St. Anne Greek Fest, which not only runs Friday (5-7:30 p.m.) but also Saturday (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) and Sunday (noon-6 p.m.) at Lewisburg Grange Hall. Greek food will be served this year with walk-up service (no drive-through) and folks are welcome to enjoy their meals in the festival tents or take them to go. See the event’s website for a menu. Complete dinners are $20 for a three-choice plate and also a seven-entree “tailgater platter” for $37. Desserts are sold separately. Plus, live music Saturday and Sunday. Lewisburg Grange Hall is located at 6000 NE Elliott Circle, Corvallis.
Saturday, Oct. 12
An opportunity to corner one of your local government representatives occurs from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at Timber Towne Coffee. Representation from the Philomath City Council, Philomath School Board and Benton County Board of Commissioners are expected to participate. All residents are invited to join them for a casual conversation about local issues. Timber Towne Coffee is located at 1427 Main St.
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Marys River Grange will host Harvest Fest from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Marys River Grange Hall. Those who come out can browse through the approximately 20 vendors registered to be on site with a variety of handmade products and farm fresh items. The apple press will be set up outside with half-gallon and one-gallon jugs available for purchase. There will also be chili available and activities for kids. Next door, GreenGable Farm will have its corn maze and pumpkin patch open to provide another activity. Admission to Harvest Fest is free (there is a charge to enter GreenGable’s corn maze). Proceeds from Harvest Fest go back to Marys River Grange, which is located at 24707 Grange Hall Road. For more information, the Philomath News published a preview story.
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The Philomath Fire and Rescue Open House and Strengthening Rural Families Health Fair will run from 11 a.m.-2 p,m. at Station 201 on Main Street. Organizers said 26 vendors are registered to participate. Children’s activities include face painting, arts and crafts, lawn games, fire engine rides and spraying a fire hose. Smokey Bear and the Corvallis Knights mascot are scheduled to appear. There will also be various demonstrations during the three-hour event. Food options include Mud Oven Pizza, Chilango Mexican Street Food and El Faro Taqueria. Admission is free. For more information, the Philomath News published a preview story.
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The Emerald City Jaguars, a pro basketball team that competes in a player development league in Eugene, plans to hold tryouts Saturday and Sunday at Philomath High School. In conjunction with the tryouts, the Jags will also offer a free 90-minute kids camp each of those days. The tryouts are scheduled to run from 11 a.m.-2:15 p.m. and are part of the team’s process to fill 12 active roster spots that are available for the upcoming season. Team owner Marion Clark said players will have an opportunity to showcase their skills and the public is invited to watch. The free kids camps will go from 2:30-4 p.m. Saturday for ages 7-11 and 2:30-4 p.m. Sunday for ages 12-18. For more information, the Philomath News published a feature story with details on the tryouts and kids camps.
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Philomath High School will host the 38th annual Paul Mariman Invitational with races at various levels going from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The event will wrap up with an awards ceremony at Clemens Field. The racing begins at 11:30 a.m. with middle school races. Junior varsity runners follow beginning at 1 p.m. The varsity races will begin at 2 p.m. Each level begins with the girls’ race and follows with the boys. The PHS girls will be favored to win the varsity team title. The boys will have their work cut out with four of the top 4A teams in the state competing. For more on the meet, the Philomath News published a preview story.
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The GreenGable Pumpkin Patch features more than 200 varieties of pumpkins, gourds and squashes in all colors, sizes and shapes. The venue also features a corn maze with a scavenger hunt. Plus, the property has a lot of photo opps, including a Cinderella carriage. Farm flowers, wreaths and other decorations are also available. The hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and Sundays and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays (event remains in place through Oct. 31). GreenGable Farms is located at 24689 Grange Hall Road.
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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 is scheduled to leave after Saturday, so this will be the final chance to get in a viewing. It 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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Over in Corvallis at the First Congregational Church, folk singer and songwriters Jean Rohe and Sadie Gustafon-Zook share the top billing at the organization’s Unity Shelter Benefit Show. The event begins at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30). Organizers said there is a suggested donation of $10 for admission. First Congregational Church is located at 4515 SW West Hills Road.
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The St. Anne Greek Fest at Lewisburg Grange Hall in Corvallis goes from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. See Friday’s entry for information.
Sunday, Oct. 13
The Philomath Farmers’ Market goes from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in front of Philomath Community Library 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 Fall Family Fun Fest, put on by Greenbelt Land Trust and Marys River Watershed Council, will run from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Bald Hill Farm. Things to do include apple cider pressing, nature arts and crafts, pumpkin bowling, walk to a beaver dam (11 a.m.), wildflower seed ball making, visit with a bird of prey (10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), introduction to binoculars and birding, the Oregon State University Bug Club, stream exploration table and more. Organizers say that the event is geared toward families with kids up through sixth grade. Admission is free. Bald Hill Farm is located at 6780 NW Oak Creek Drive, Corvallis. Find more information, including details directions, on the Greenbelt Land Trust website.
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The Emerald City Jaguars will host its second day of tryouts and a kids camp. See the Saturday entry for the details.
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The St. Anne Greek Fest at Lewisburg Grange Hall in Corvallis returns for a third day with the hours of noon-6 p.m.. See Friday’s entry for information.
