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Septembeerfest

Septembeerfest, an annual event held in the verdant expanse of Avery Park, Corvallis, Oregon, is not merely a celebration of the craft beer industry but also a manifestation of community spirit and philanthropy. The event, organized by Heart of the Valley Homebrewers, is set to mark its 16th iteration on August 26th, 2023, from 12 pm to 7 pm, offering attendees a selection of over 80 beers, ciders, and meads from 23 independent breweries, cideries, and homebrewers.

Ryan Long, exploring the event, shared, “This is the 11th annual Septembeer Fest. Septembeer Fest started out at the Benton County Fairgrounds, and we’ve now moved out to Avery Park, and we’re continuing our 11th year, giving all the proceeds to Linn Bend Future and Fermentation Science scholarships.” The event, while providing a platform for local homebrewers and breweries to showcase their creations, also serves a charitable purpose. A representative from the event noted, “We’ve been able to donate money to Linn Food Share. I think over the 12 years, I’m sure it’s been over a hundred thousand dollars.”

The festival, while being a haven for beer enthusiasts, also provides a platform for local breweries to share their creations and stories. One brewer shared the intricate details of their creation, stating, “it’s blended with a neutral blonde base. It’s fruity but not over-the-top sweet, with hints of pineapple and citrus.” Another brewer shared a story of a yeast from Belgium, hidden “under the stairs on Oregon Trail,” which was used to create a beer with “a lot of flavor.”

The event, beyond being a showcase of local brewing talent, also serves as a community gathering, where attendees can explore a variety of beverages, engage in light-hearted competitions, and enjoy musical performances from bands like Lynx Family Band, The Incompatibles, and Ida Jane and The Weekend Gardeners. The festival also features a Beard and Mustache competition, which starts at 5:00 pm on the main stage, adding a playful and competitive spirit to the event.

Septembeerfest is not only a celebration of the brewing arts but also a conduit through which the community can engage in supporting local charities and organizations. The event, while providing a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for attendees, also ensures that the proceeds are utilized to support various local charities and organizations. A participant reflected on the event, stating, “Septembeer Fest, it is hands down the best beer festival that a beer aficionado can go to.”

In conclusion, Septembeerfest stands as a testament to the harmonious blending of community, charity, and the celebration of craft beverages. With its dual purpose of providing a platform for local brewers and serving as a fundraiser for local charities, the event encapsulates a spirit of community and giving, all while offering attendees a diverse and vibrant experience.

Septembeer Fest Website | Facebook

Albany Beer Run

The Corvallis Lions Club, with over 35 years of service to the communities of Corvallis and Albany, Oregon, has established itself as a pivotal organization, not only through its various service projects and financial assistance programs but also by orchestrating events that bind the community and support noteworthy causes. The club, known for its annual See’s Candy sale and its dedication to various service projects, such as vision and health screenings, youth outreach, and disaster relief, also organizes events like the Albany Beer Run, which serve both as a community gathering and a fundraiser for specific causes.

Ryan Long, exploring the inaugural Albany Beer Run, shared insights and experiences from participants, stating, “Today I’m at the inaugural Albany Beer Run, all the way from Calapooia Brewery to Deluxe Brewing Company, almost a quarter of a mile.” The event, which spans almost a quarter of a mile from the Calapooia Brewery to the Deluxe Brewing Company, is not merely a run but a community event that brings together participants from various walks of life.

The Albany Beer Run, set to occur on Saturday, September 9th, 2023, is described as an event for the “below-average athlete and weekend warrior in all of us,” and it is dedicated to supporting **Canine Companions**. This organization provides service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings. The event, while light-hearted and community-oriented, serves a dual purpose of bringing people together and supporting a noble cause. A participant, reflecting on the event, mentioned, “I learned that our race director had pulled in dogs for a better life. So this is a new collaboration between Corvallis and Albany, that’s a new world we live in.”

The event, while seemingly casual and lighthearted, is not without its challenges, as participants navigate the 0.3K from one brewery to the next. One participant humorously noted the challenge, stating, “Well, it was a long way to the first donut stop; that was the hard part. I think that was about two-thirds of the way down, wasn’t it?” Another participant, reflecting on the length of the race, quipped, “It’s the longest one I’ve ever run, I understand it’s about three football fields.”

The Albany Beer Run, with its blend of community spirit, light competition, and a dedication to supporting worthwhile causes, encapsulates the ethos of the Corvallis Lions Club. The club, through its various initiatives, from health screenings to supporting organizations like Canine Companions, continues to weave a tapestry of service and community engagement in Corvallis and Albany, Oregon. The events and service projects, while diverse in nature, all converge on the club’s mission to strengthen and serve the community, providing a platform where service, community, and enjoyment harmoniously coexist.

Albany Beer Run Website | Facebook | Instagram

Corvallis Farmers’ Market

The Corvallis Farmers Market, situated in the heart of Corvallis, Oregon, is a vibrant gathering that brings together approximately 65 vendors and a community eager to explore the fresh, locally produced goods on offer. The market, which sprawls across several blocks in the vicinity of 1st Street, presents a rich array of products, from fresh vegetables and fruits to organic flowers and artisanal food products, all cultivated or created by the vendors themselves.

Ryan Long, from the Sue Long Realty Group at Keller Williams, provides an intimate look into the market, sharing, “The best part of waking up on a Saturday morning, rolling out of bed, and coming down here to 1st Street for the Corvallis Farmers Market.” The market not only offers a wide variety of produce but also serves as a platform for local farmers and producers to connect directly with their community. One vendor, discussing the importance of this direct interaction, emphasizes, “Coming to the farmers market puts us face to face with our consumers. We get to talk to them; we get to know their friends.”

The market hosts a myriad of vendors, each bringing a unique offering to the table. A flower vendor shares, “We grow about 50 different varieties of flowers throughout the year,” ensuring a continuous rotation of fresh, vibrant blooms. Another vendor, from Denison Farms, a staple at the market and recognized as one of the original farms that helped initiate it, confirms the authenticity of their offerings, stating, “this farmers market requires that everything in your booth is grown by you.”

The market also serves as a platform for vendors to share their philosophy and approach towards their produce and products. A beef producer shares, “Raising natural beef is more than just a business; it is kind of a mission. We believe in the concept of cattle being humanely raised and natural.” This sentiment of passion and commitment towards their craft and produce is echoed by various vendors throughout the market.

Moreover, the market is not merely a place of transaction but also a locale where culinary delights are shared and celebrated. A vendor, discussing the versatility of peppers, lists, “Hamburgers, taco salads, raw, plain, powders, and sauces. Hot sauces and a couple of mild sauces,” showcasing the myriad of ways their produce can be utilized. Another vendor, sharing a simple yet delightful recipe for carrot fries, mentions, “I just use olive oil, our sweet, tasty carrots, and a little bit of salt and pepper.”

The Corvallis Farmers Market, through its vendors and their diverse offerings, emerges as a community hub where the emphasis is not only on the produce but also on the relationships forged between the vendors and their customers. A vendor encapsulates this sentiment, stating, “It’s community; it’s a community gathering place. It’s entrepreneurship, 100% grown into lemon honey, 100% local, interacting with the public in a friendly environment.” Thus, the market stands as a testament to the rich, communal spirit of Corvallis, fostering a space where local produce is celebrated, and community connections are nurtured.

Corvallis Farmers’ Market Website | Facebook

Benton County Fair

The Benton County Fair, situated in Corvallis, Oregon, is an event steeped in local tradition, typically offering a range of attractions and activities, potentially including carnival rides, animal exhibitions, contests, and live entertainment. The fairgrounds, located at 110 SW 53rd St., Corvallis, OR 97333, serve as a venue for these community events, which might extend beyond the annual fair to include other gatherings such as concerts and exhibitions throughout the year.

In a video hosted by Ryan Long of the Sue Long Realty Group at Keller Williams, viewers are introduced to various aspects of the Benton County Fair and Rodeo. Long expresses, “Welcome to the Benton County Fair and Rodeo, a Corvallis tradition.” The video provides a glimpse into the 4-H program, which is highlighted as a significant part of the fair. A participant explains, “4-H stands for head, heart, health, and hands,” and it’s described as a program aimed at elementary and high school students, designed to educate them about agriculture through practical experiences like raising dairy goats.

The fair also showcases various animal exhibitions and contests. One exhibitor shares insights into poultry showing, noting, “Quando is the champion large fowl rooster,” and explains the process of preparing poultry for shows, emphasizing the importance of muscle memory and stance. Another exhibitor, discussing a different bird, shares, “Yeah, he’s my bird for breeding, and he will go to be shown as a potential champion in the national show.”

Moreover, the fair seems to provide a platform for local programs and teams to showcase their projects and achievements. A member of a high school robotics team shares, “We’re here demonstrating our robots,” and elaborates on their achievements, “We actually qualified for the world’s and went to Houston, Texas, and competed in the world championships.” The fair, therefore, not only serves as a venue for traditional agricultural displays and contests but also as a space where local programs, like the robotics team, can engage with the community, as the team member notes, “The Benton County Fair is a good place for us to meet a lot of local Willamette Valley people and get the word out about our program.”

The Benton County Fair and Rodeo, through its various exhibitions, contests, and showcases, provides a multifaceted experience, intertwining traditional agricultural displays with modern programs and competitions, thereby offering a diverse and enriching experience to the community members and visitors who attend.

Benton County Fair Website | Facebook | Instagram

Bald Hill Hike

Bald Hill Trail, nestled within the Bald Hill Natural Area in Corvallis, Oregon, extends 2.7 miles and is characterized by a 452-foot elevation gain, offering a moderate level of hiking difficulty. The loop trail is accessible throughout the year and is utilized for a variety of activities such as birding, hiking, and horseback riding. It is a locale where nature enthusiasts frequently converge, and while dogs are permitted, they must be leashed. The trail provides panoramic views of the Willamette Valley and Coast Range Mountains, and on clear days, portions of the Cascade Mountain Range are visible. The terrain varies, offering both well-maintained paths and more rugged areas, and is sufficiently wide to accommodate two horses side by side in most sections. The trail is heavily wooded until it reaches the relatively bare top of Bald Hill, which provides expansive views. The trail is suitable for a range of activities, including hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, walking, bird watching, and running, and is open year-round, offering a scenic escape in any season.

Ryan Long, from the Sue Long Realty Group at Keller Williams, provides a visual journey through the Bald Hill Natural Area in a video, introducing viewers to the trail system, which encompasses over 8 miles. Long notes, “The trail we’re taking today is 2.2 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 230 feet.” He highlights the availability of blackberries in August and points out the Bald Hill barn, which is “about one mile in from the trailhead and is rentable for your events.” Long describes the hike as “easy to moderate,” while also noting that other trails in the system could be considered “moderate to advanced.” The Bald Hill Natural Area is underscored for its high accessibility, with a paved multi-use path that connects to the Midge Cramer Trail, passing the fairgrounds campus and extending to downtown. Upon reaching the summit, Long showcases the panoramic views of Corvallis, Marys Peak, and the Coast Range, affirming, “the short hike was definitely worth it for these gorgeous views.” The video serves as a visual guide, intertwining the scenic beauty and practical information about the Bald Hill Natural Area.

Bald Hill