Bargains, booms and bangers: July is bursting with events

By Jo Garcia-Cobb

If you’re a fan of old stuff, American spirit or Elizabethan sport July is your month for fun.

Art added to bargain boulevard

Two blocks of Silverton’s Main Street will be blocked off from traffic and abuzz with local and visiting vendors, food, art and music.

More than 40 vendors will be selling a wide variety of stuff, old and new, including antiques, collectibles, crafts, home decor, jewelry and art at the street fair. The Silverton Arts Association is sponsoring a sale of works by local artists.

In addition, many stores and most of the restaurants in downtown Silverton will be open. For example there’ll be smoked ribs at Mac’s Place and strawberry waffles from The Green Store, as well as live blues music.

“The fair has been growing every year. Before this event, there wasn’t a soul in downtown Silverton on the Fourth of July,” said organizer Donna Snyder, owner of The Red Bench. Sponsored by the City of Silverton and the Silverton Chamber of Commerce, the fair will be accepting vendor applications until July 3. Cost is $75 for a 10’ x 10’ booth. For information, call Donna at 503-910-5106.

Independence Day classic

Mount Angel’s July 4th celebration kicks off with a parade at 11 a.m. and concludes with fireworks at around 10 p.m., with a variety of activities in between.

The parade starts at John F. Kennedy High School and heads towards the City Hall through Birch, Taylor and Garfield Streets.

“We’re encouraging kids to be creative by dressing up or decorating in red, white, and blue and join in the parade as they ride their bike, push a stroller or wagon. Everyone is also welcome to honk their horns and shake their rattles when the parade goes by,” said organizer Mary Kohler of the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce.

Those who wish to join the parade can register at the tent at the assembly area at the JFK High School parking lot the morning of the event. Entry fee is $15. Kids can participate free. Registration forms are available at the Mount Angel Publishing office, 135 N.Main St.

After the parade, chicken dinners and sausages will be sold at the Glockenspiel Restaurant and Mount Angel Sausage Co. until they run out. Village Pizza Ristorante will be open for pizza and will sponsor a chalk art activity for kids. Outside seating will be available at all three locations.

Kids are invited to blow bubbles in front of the Glockenspiel and participate in water games with Mount Angel’s volunteer firefighters down Charles Street by the gazebo. Music will be provided by Don Robison by the city hall.

Activities at the JFK High School football field begin at 6 p.m. as the Knights of Columbus sell Oktoberfest sausages, strawberries and ice cream and hot chocolate.

A concert by the Marion County Citizens Band starts at 8:30 p.m. The fireworks, sponsored by Roth’s and Mount Angel businesses, begin at around 10 p.m. Donations will be taken at the gate to help defray the cost of the fireworks.  No outside fireworks will be allowed through the gates.

Knights, queen’s court in Canterbury

Experience village life in Elizabethan England at the third annual Canterbury Renaissance Faire, set on seven wooded acres on Mount Angel Highway. Guests experience a slice of medieval culture and gallantry. This year’s faire will feature an array of period entertainers, merchants, foods, guilds, demonstrations and activities for children.

There will be a full-blown queen’s court in regalia. Entertainers include the Imperial Knights, a professional jousting group; Adam the Juggler, magician Matthew VanZee, Adria the Juggler; the Raks Sarama Tribal Dancers, Vancouver Madrigal Singers, Salem Madrigal Singers, Heritage Harp artists, Sherwood Renaissance Singers, bagpipe artist Tom McVey, the Pearwood Pipers, and the Brush Creek Players.

There will be jousting shows each day at noon and at 4 p.m. Four stages will have constant entertainment including dancers, jugglers and magicians. The children’s section will feature renaissance-themed games and horse rides.

Merchants will sell period crafts, clothing, costumes, jewelry, and weapons, while guilds will demonstrate period archery, sword fighting, blacksmithing and hand-hammered armor making.

“It really is a living history village that’s both fun and educational. New performers will be featured, and the kids’ section will be different and bigger. There’s no one in the area that does it at this level, except for the one in Kings Valley, Ore.,” said organizer Nancy White, owner of Whitewind Horse Training Farm.

The fare for the hungry includes King Wurst Bangers, ice cream, Holy Grill turkey legs, Celtic vegan plate, and boar and stag plates.