Singing Christmas Tree Auditions
The Sweet Home Community Singing Christmas Tree is holding auditions and practice from 7-9 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday at the high school choir room. Ages 12 and up are welcome to participate.
First Fridays downtown
The Lebanon Downtown Association hosts its First Friday events from 5-8 p.m. every first Friday of the month. With a special theme each month, downtown merchants invite the public to participate in the event, check out their businesses and enjoy historic Lebanon.
Oct. 4: Harvest Festival
Nov. 1: Chili Cookoff, Shop Small
Dec. 6: Christmas in the Park
Flea Market & Festival
Lebanon Mercantile and Menge Made will host a Fall Festival from 11 a.m to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 in the downtown corridor.
Vendors are invited to participate by contacting the hosts. The event includes a talent and variety show. Anyone who wants to participate may contact the hosts. Twisty the Great will be walking around the downtown area to make balloon animals and perform a magic show.
Harvest Festival
Sweet Home’s annual Harvest Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Sankey Park, 847 14th Ave.
Activities include pumpkin painting, tree climbing, kid zone games, face painting, photo booth, bouncy house and slide, and pie bake-off and chili cook-off contests. More than 60 vendors will be on site with crafts, goodies, gifts and treats.
Taste pie entries for $3; sponsored by the Park and Tree Committee, proceeds benefit park projects. Taste the chili entries for $5 per person or $10 per family. Sponsored by Radiator Supply House and the Road Maggot Motorcycle group, proceeds benefit the Sweet Home Kids Food Pak, providing weekend meals to around 130 local kids each week.
For more information, or to participate as a vendor or contest entrant, visit sweethomeor.gov/community/page/harvest-festival-2024-0.
Hogwarts Event
The Lebanon Mercantile will host its annual Back to Hogwarts event from 2-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 641 and 661 Main St.
Free Clothing Closet
FISH of Lebanon invites residents to its First Monday Clothes Closet event every first Sunday/Monday of the month at the First Presbyterian Church, 145 W. Ash St.
The clothing closet is open from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday. The next First Monday events will be Oct. 6-7, Nov. 3-4, and Dec. 1-2.
FISH’s clothing closet has grown tremendously since it began over a year ago, with 75-100 shoppers every month shopping for themselves, teen-age children, friends and extended family members.
In addition to adult clothes (x-small to 5X) and shoes, there are infant and toddler clothes and other donated items. Sometimes there are also blankets, children’s books and other treasures.
For more information, contact FISH, 541-259-3200.
Ballot Measure Forum
The Linn County Unit of the League of Women Voters of Oregon will hold a forum on Oregon ballot measures 117 and 118 at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Albany Public Library’s community room, 2450 14th Ave. SE.
Measure 118 would require the state to issue rebates to residents from a new corporate sales tax. Antonio Gisbert, chief petitioner for what supporters call the Oregon People’s Rebate, will speak in support of the measure. Speaking in opposition will be Preston Mann, director of political affairs for Oregon Business and Industry.
The discussion will shift at around 7:30 p.m. to Measure 117, which would establish ranked-choice voting for federal and state offices. Explaining the measure and how ranked-choice voting works will be Gabriel Shepherd, a Corvallis city councilor who was a leading voice in establishing ranked-choice voting in Corvallis.
All of the speakers will answer questions from the audience. Anyone is welcome to attend. Remember that the last day to register to vote in the upcoming election is Oct. 15. The mailing of ballots will begin on Oct. 16. Election Day is Nov. 5.
For more information about the forum or the League of Women Voters, call Linda at 503.707.1539 or visit the Facebook page, LeagueOfWomenVotersOfLinnCountyOregon.
Rising Star Farm Tour
The Oregon State University Extension Small Farms Program will host the Rising Star Farm Tour from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, in Lebanon.
Learn how they are raising Sable goats for dairy, Cochin Bantam chickens for breeding and eggs, as well as operating a cozy Airbnb cottage on the property. This is a regional small farm tour on five acres and is open to all. Enjoy an optional potluck and connect with other local farmers in the area.
There is a $5 fee to attend, with scholarships available upon request. Registration is required to
receive the address; there is limited capacity. For additional details and to register, visit https://beav.es/pSa. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by Oct 10.
For more information or for accommodations, contact Crystal Kelso at 541.730.3539 or via email at [email protected].
Family History Fair
The Linn and Benton County “Family History Fair” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2850 SW Grand Prairie Rd. SE Albany.
Bring your family, discover your ancestors and find cousins. Bring a laptop, tablet or phone. There will be classes and fun activities. Snacks are provided.
Puzzle Competition
Sunshine Industries Unlimited will host a “Puzzling to Make A Difference” puzzle competition from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Sweet Home Elks Lodge, 440 Osage St.
This is a fundraiser event for the organization that is celebrating 50 years of providing opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Teams of two will race against other teams to complete a 500 piece, specially designed, top secret jigsaw puzzle in a two-hour time limit. Cost to compete is a $200 tax-deductible donation per team. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place winners.
Proceeds will help replace inoperable vehicles and major facility repairs.
Register online at https://bit.ly/3TEdaEy, or print off a registration form from the Facebook page and return to [email protected], or mail to Sunshine Industries, 1333 Clark Mill Rd, Sweet Home, OR 97386.
Animal Rescue Volunteers Needed
Linn County Animal Rescue needs volunteers for its nonprofit work outside Lebanon. For those interested in a rewarding time spent with animals, consider joining LCAR which has horses, minis, cows, sheep and senior dogs. There are two shifts a day, morning and afternoon. Volunteers can work with the livestock or dogs, or both.
Donations and sponsorships are also welcomed. For more information, visit lcarhorse.org or call 541.258.3422.
Cowboy Poetry Fundraiser
Sweet Home Senior Center will host “A Night With the Cowboys,” a benefit fundraiser, from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, 880 18th Ave., Sweet Home.
Cowboy poetry and songs of the west will be the night’s entertainment, featuring Jim Crotts, Crystalline Christensen and Duane Nelson. Admission is free, but donations would be accepted. This is a fundraiser for Violet Nunes, to send her to the Jr. National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Slider plates will be available for $5 each.
Sweet Home Farmers’ Market
Farmers’ Market will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Tuesdays until Oct. 19 at 1141 12th Ave., next to the library.
Vendors are selling hot food, fresh vegetables, vegetable plants, baked goods, meat, eggs, honey, flowers, mushrooms, fruit and more.
Science & The Bible Seminar
Pastor Jesse Hey from Sweet Home Evangelical Church will host a science and creation seminar on Sundays from 5-6 p.m. Oct. 13 to Nov. 3 at the church, 1347 Long St., Sweet Home.
Hey will explore the arguments of Darwinian evolution, study nature for evidence of design v. randomness, explore Noah’s flood and geology, and test the reliability of the Bible.
Oct. 13: The Supposed Proofs of Darwinian Evolution
Oct. 20: Design in Nature or Blind Chance?
Oct. 27: Noah’s Flood & Geology
Nov. 3: Is the Bible Reliable?
The seminar is free, refreshments will be provided and fossils will be given away. The slideshow presentation is designed for children and adults. Creation Science materials and fossils of extinct animals will be on display.
Lebanon Farmers’ Market
Farmers’ Market will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Thursdays until Oct. 17 at the corner of Main and Grant streets downtown.
Vendors are selling hot food, fresh vegetables, vegetable plants, baked goods, meat, eggs, honey, flowers, mushrooms, fruit and more.
Downtown Trick or Treat
Lebanon Downtown Association will host the annual Downtown Trick or Treat & Costume Contest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The downtown Main Street will be alive with little ghosts and goblins as they stroll around collecting treats from the downtown merchants. Bring your family, wear your favorite costumes, and make magical memories together.
Trick or treating goes from 11am to 2pm. The costume contest begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Strawberry Plaza.
Nov. 1-2 Holiday Bazaars
The annual two-day multi-location holiday fairs has been listed below. Also, on Friday, Nov. 1, from 5-8 p.m. there will be ‘Chili Cook Off’ samplings at merchants downtown.
- FISH Harvest Bazaar at New Hope Church, Gore Road and Hwy 20. Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Multiple vendors, soup and pie luncheon. This is a fundraising event for FISH of Lebanon.
- Holiday Craft Bazaar, at Santiam Place Event Hall, 139 Main St. (Main and Dodge St.). Nov. 1-2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit local crafters with handmade items, products and services.
- St. Edwards Bazaar & Country Store, 100 Main St. Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Baked goods, holiday/home décor, crafts, themed basket raffles. Lunch served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days.
- Linn County Arts Guild, 846 Main St. Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday. Many local artists offer ‘handcrafted in Linn County’ items.
- Holiday Craft Bazaar, 1787 S. 12th St. Nov 1-2 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Gift baskets, baby quilts and lots of handcrafts.
- Holiday Bazaar, at Christ Community Lutheran Church, 320 Market St. Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Handmade quilts, 20+ tables of local crafters, baked goods. Lunch served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days.
- River Center Holiday Craft & Gift Fair, 3000 S. Santiam Hwy. Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Over 30 tables of crafts and other gift items from local crafters. Lunch available.
- The Old Bates Berry Farm Barn, 38021 Weirich Drive. Oct. 31 from 4-7 p.m., Nov. 1-2 from
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Handcrafted treasures and gifts, scented soy candles, antiques and collectibles, and much more.
International Folk Dance Show
The BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble will perform on Nov. 6, 8 and 9 in Sisters, Corvallis and Eugene.
The performers showcase dance styles of the world and feature the traditions of the United States at international folklore festivals, combining ethnic traditions with exquisite costuming. Offering one of the broadest spectrums of folk dance performed by a single group of its kind, the performance includes music and dance from all over the world including Europe, the Caribbean and Asia.
The show will be held: Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Sisters High School auditorium, 1700 W McKinney Butte Rd, Sisters; Friday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. at The LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St, Corvallis; and Saturday, Nov. 9, at 9 p.m. at Lane Community College’s Ragozzino Performance Hall, Building 6, 4000 E 30th Ave, Eugene.
Tickets cost between $15 and $28, and can be purchased ahead of time online at pam.byu.edu/events/?P=international-folk-dance-ensemble.
Luau Event for Veterans
Opening Act Foundation will host a “Holiday Luau” benefit for veterans at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Sweet Home VFW, 580 Main St.
Cost is $20 general admission, $15 veterans and $10 for children under 12. The luau event will include a buffet dinner with whole pigs roasted outdoors and other Hawaiian dishes. Entertainment will include local talent and the hula dancers of Hālau Hula o Nā Pua o Hawaiʻi Nei.
Proceeds benefit local veterans’ holiday food boxes.
Purchase tickets at the Sweet Home VFW, or online at oafoundation.ticketleap.com/christmas-luau.
Albany Farmers Market
The Albany Farmers Market will be open every Saturday until Nov. 23 located in the City Hall parking lot and on an adjacent street that fronts the Linn County Courthouse. The Albany Farmers Market is the oldest continuously operated open-air farmers market in Oregon. For more information visit locallygrown.org/albany-saturday-market/.
Winter Choral Performance
The Lebanon Community Chorus will present a performance of Vivaldi’s “Gloria” as part of its winter concert, “Reflections of Life,” which takes place at 3 p.m. on Nov. 24 at the First Presbyterian Church, 145 W Ash St, Lebanon.
The concert will explore the profound and varied experiences that shape our human journey. The first half of our program features “Gloria,” a Baroque masterpiece that, through its dynamic movements, encapsulates the cycle of life – from the joyous beginnings and challenges of youth to the reflective and celebratory moments of later years.
The second half transitions to a selection of more contemporary choral works that continue this chronological reflection on life’s key moments. These pieces capture the exuberance of living, the tranquility of innocence, the charm of the mundane, the tenderness of love, the resilience needed to overcome challenges, the poignant beauty found in life’s inevitable losses, and the indomitable flow of the human spirit.
Together, these works offer a musical journey through the stages of life, inviting us to reflect on our own experiences and the universal emotions that connect us all.
Directed by Terence Madlangbayan. Bill Langdon is the piano accompanist. The LCC is made up of nearly 50 talented singers from Albany, Brownsville, Lebanon, Sweet Home and surrounding areas. For more information, visit lebanoncommunitychorus.org or stay updated on the Facebook page, Facebook.com/LebanonCommunityChorus.
Animal Rescue Volunteers Needed
Linn County Animal Rescue needs volunteers for its nonprofit work outside Lebanon. For those interested in a rewarding time spent with animals, consider joining LCAR which has horses, minis, cows, sheep and senior dogs. There are two shifts a day, morning and afternoon. Volunteers can work with the livestock or dogs, or both.
Donations and sponsorships are also welcomed. For more information, visit lcarhorse.org or call 541.258.3422.
Hygiene donations sought
Crowfoot Baptist Church operates a hygiene supply program for families in need. They are in need of toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, bar soap, hand soap, feminine hygiene products (tampons and pads), razors, shaving cream, dish soap, laundry detergent, bathroom cleaner, bleach, toilet paper, garbage bags.
To donate, or for more information, call 541.258.3138, or visit the church during open hours (T, W, Th, and Sun from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m) at 699 Cascade Drive.
Suicide Bereavement Support Group
Lebanon Area Mental Health Alliance hosts a Suicide Bereavement Support Group every second Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Lebanon Community Hospital, 525 Santiam Hwy. in conference room 1 and 2. Park and enter at the back of the building.
For anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one by suicide, struggles with previous attempts or attempts from a loved one, or if suicide has had an impact on your life.
A licensed mental health therapist will facilitate the meetings. For more information, contact Dave Butler at 541.936.2580 or via email at [email protected].
‘The Innkeepers’ Play
Playwright Satina Tolman brings back her nativity story, “The Innkeepers,” on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15, at the Sweet Home High School auditorium, 1641 Long St.
Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing journey as the innkeeper and his wife retell the nativity story from their unique perspective, a story that reminds us of the power of compassion, love and the true meaning of Christmas. With its captivating narrative, heartwarming characters and inspiring songs, “The Innkeepers” promises to be a must-attend event this holiday season.
Admission is free. Shows will be performed Saturday, Dec. 14, at 3-4:30 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3-4:30 p.m.
For more information and updates, visit the Facebook event page at Facebook.com/theinnkeeperssweethome. For inquiries or to become a sponsor, contact Satina via email at [email protected] or [email protected].