Bentley's Grill - Salem Oregon Restaurant, Blog, Oregon, Salem Conference Center, The Grand Hotel in Salem News & Updates

Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest

Planning a Salem Oregon trip this spring? If so, you are in luck! With so much to do and see, boredom is not an option (unless that is what you want).

You can start by stepping outside the Grand Hotel Salem Lobby and taking a stroll down Liberty Street and check out our vibrant downtown scene; lose yourself in one of the many cafes, galleries, shops, and historical sights to see.

For more suggestions, read the Salem Conference Center post 8 Great Place to Visit in Salem Oregon  and visit the Travel Salem kiosk conveniently located in The Salem Conference Center, or visit them online www.travelsalem.com. Here are some of local event highlights happening this Spring:

April

Tulip Festival
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, Woodburn
503-634-2243 or 800-711-2006
www.woodenshoe.com

55th Annual River of Gems
Polk County Fairgrounds, Rickreall
541-738-6811
www.wamsi.org

Hawaii Club’s Annual Lu’au
Cone Fieldhouse – Willamette University, Salem
503-370-6265
www.willamette.edu

Earth Day
The Oregon Garden, Silverton
503-874-2536
www.oregongarden.org

Earth Day at Champoeg
Champoeg Visitor Center, Saint Paul
503-678-1251 ext. 221
www.champoeg.org

Tulip Festival Drags
Woodburn Drag Strip, Woodburn
503-982-4461
www.woodburndragstrip.com

Annual Silverton Poetry Festival
Various venues throughout Silverton
503-936-6158
www.silvertonpoetry.org

Oregon Garden Brewfest
The Oregon Garden, Silverton
503-874-8100 or 877-674-2733
www.oregongarden.org

Tulip Festival – Wine Down
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, Woodburn
503-634-2243 or 800-711-2006
www.woodenshoe.com

Wulapalooza
Brown Field – Willamette University, Salem
503-370-6255
www.willamette.edu/org/wulapalooza

Oregon Ag Fest
Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem
503-535-9353
www.oragfest.com or www.oregonstateexpo.org

The CanyonArts Festival
Santiam High School, Mill City
503 897-5615
www.canyonartsfestival.com

May

Iris Gardens open to public
Schreiner’s Gardens, Salem
503-393-3232
www.schreinersgardens.com

Wednesday Farmer’s Market
Downtown Salem
503-585-8264
www.salemsaturdaymarket.com

Silverton Wine & Jazz Festival
Main & Oak Streets, Downtown Silverton
503-873-5615
www.silvertonwineandjazz.com

Polk Home and Garden Show
Polk County Fairgrounds, Rickreall,
503-428-8224
www.polkhomeandgardenshow.com

Salem Saturday Market
Downtown Salem
503-585-8264
www.salemsaturdaymarket.com

Silverton Farmers Market
Town Square Park, Silverton
503-390-7276

Independence Farmers Market
Sterling Bank Parking Lot, Independence
503-838-5424

Peony Paradise
Adelman Peony Gardens, Salem
503-393-6185
www.peonyparadise.com

Peony & Iris Flower Farm in Bloom
Brooks Gardens, Brooks
503-393-7999
www.brooksgardens.com

Champoeg Founders Day
Champoeg Visitor Center, Saint Paul
503-678-1251 ext. 221
www.champoeg.org

Mother’s Day at the Iris Garden
Schreiner’s Gardens, Salem
503-393-3232
www.schreinersgardens.com

Mother’s Day Brunch
Willamette Valley Vineyards, Turner
503-371-7815 or 1-800-344-9463
www.willamettevalleyvineyards.com

Silver Falls Mother’s Day Wildflower and Birding Festival
South Falls Lodge – Silver Falls, Sublimity
503-873-8735
www.oregonstateparks.org

Keizer Iris Festival
Keizer Station, Keizer, OR
(Conveniently located right next to the I-5 freeway. Exit 260B)
503-393-9111
www.irisfestival.com

Sheep to Shawl Festival
Willamette Heritage Center at The Mill, Salem
503-585-7012
www.WillametteHeritage.org

Silverton Pet Parade
Coolidge & Main Streets, Silverton
503-873-5615
www.silvertonchamber.org

Season Opener
Woodburn Dragstrip, Woodburn
503-982-4461
www.woodburndragstrip.com

Memorial Day Sidewalk Sale
Woodburn Company Stores, Woodburn
503-981-1900 or 888-664-SHOP
www.shop-woodburn.com

Memorial Day Weekend at Cubanisimo Vineyards
Cubanisimo Vineyards, Salem
503-588-1763
www.cubanisimovineyards.com

Wineries Memorial Day Weekend Open House
Various wineries in the Willamette Valley
503-581-4325 or 800-874-7012

Memorial Weekend Open House
Redhawk Winery, Salem
503-362-1596
www.redhawkwine.com

Memorial Weekend Open House
Cherry Hill Winery, Rickreall
503-623-7867
www.cherryhillwinery.com

Memorial Weekend Open House
Cristom Vineyards, Salem
503-375-3068
www.cristomwines.com

Memorial Weekend Open House
Willamette Valley Vineyards, Turner
503-588-9463 or 800-344-9463
www.willamettevalleyvineyards.com

East Willamette Valley Wine Tour
East Willamette Valley Vineyards and Wineries
503-651-3190
www.eastvalleywine.com

Chicken BBQ & Capital City Jazz Band
Schreiner’s Gardens, Salem
503-393-3232 or 800-525-2367
www.schreinersgardens.com

Come howl at the moon and celebrate the Equinox in the Eola-Amity Hills!

One of the most celebrated wine events in our region is coming March 24, 2012 to beautiful Zenith Vineyards! The 4th Annual EQUINOX brings wineries and fans of the Eola-Amity Hills wine making community together to enjoy delicious tastings and fare.

The Eola-Amity Hills are home to some of the most celebrated winemakers and acclaimed vineyards in Oregon. Come visit the gorgeous slopes and taste the spectacular wines that capture the unique “terroir” of this region. Discover why the Eola-Amity Hills are a hidden jewel in the Willamette Valley.

Plan on an entire weekend out this year! Special rates starting at $129 plus tax for two adults. Rates includes shuttle service to and from the event, hot breakfast buffet and a late check out of 1pm the next day. Note: Shuttle service applies only to guests who have booked the Equinox package. Reservations for the shuttle need to be made at the time of your package reservation.

Extend your visit with us and stay to enjoy many of the Equinox wineries right here in our own Bentley’s Grill!

Click Here to Book this Package
To purchase event tickets, visit www.zenithvineyard.com

Equinox in the Eola-Amity Hills
March 24th 2012 7:00PM to 10:00PM

Where: Zenith Vineyard 5657 Zena Rd NW Salem

31 World Class wineries including: Amity Vineyards; Anthony Dell Cellars; Antica Terra; Argyle Winery; Bethel Heights Vineyard; Bjornson Vineyard; Brooks Wines; Bryn Mawr Vineyards; Calamity Hill Vineyard; Carter Vineyard; Cherry Hill Winery; Cristom Vineyards; Cubanisimo Vineyards; Dobbes Family Estate; Dukes Family Vineyards; Evening Land Vineyards; Grochau Cellars; Holloran Vineyard Wines; Kristin Hill Winery; Lewman Vineyard; Methven Family Vineyards and Winery; Mouvance Winery; Orchard Heights Winery; Redhawk Winery; Rizzo Winery; St. Innocent Winery; Stangeland Vineyards; Toluca Lane; Witness Tree Vineyard, Zenith Vineyard and ZIVO Wines.

Buy: Wineries will be offering the wines you taste at a 20% discount from retail for this night only!

Admission: $40 per person, buy your Admission online – print and keep your receipt as your entry to the event. NOTE: NO TICKETS WILL BE MAILED TO YOU… YOUR RECEIPT, OR EVEN JUST THE NAME OF THE PURCHASER WILL BE YOUR ADMISSION (YOU ARE ON A LIST).

Have more fun at the Oregon State Fair with an overnight stay at The Grand Hotel in Salem!

What is better than an evening at the Oregon State Fair? How about an evening at The Oregon State Fair without the long drive home!

Plan an overnight trip to Salem, stay with us,  and enjoy an all day experience at The Oregon State Fair!  We will take care of breakfast (complimentary hot breakfast buffet for all guests) and a late check out of 1pm the next day!

Special Hotel rates start at $109 plus tax and this offer is good for  August 26-September 05, 2011.  Visit our site to make your reservation today.

Here are some highlights:

The 2011 Fair will feature top notch Entertainment, Attractions, Exhibits, Food, Carnival Rides (of course!), Competitions (like the popular STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series) and much much more.

Featured Events:

• “Pairings!” A celebration of Oregon’s wine, cuisine and music—Friday, August 26, 2011, 5 pm – 9 pm
• Il CiRCo’s Viaggio—Friday August 26-Monday September 5, 2:00 & 7:30 PM
• Cheap Trick—Saturday August 27, 2011 8PM
• SessionFest with SouLiv, Ozomatli, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Thursday September 1st, 2011 7:30P
• The Band Perry—Friday September 2nd, 2011 8PM
• The Judds —Saturday September 3rd, 2011 8PM
• Selena Gomez and the Scene—Monday September 5th, 2011 4:30 PM

Tickets for all events are now on sale. Visit oregonstatefair.org/concerts for info.

Too-Big-To-Miss 2011 Oregon State Fair Details
DATES: August 26-September 7, 2011 (Labor Day)
LOCATION: Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem Oregon
HOURS: Sundays-Thursdays: 10 AM – 10 PM Fridays and Saturdays: 10 AM – 11 PM

GENERAL ADMISSION:
Adults (ages 13 – 64): $7.00/advance, $11.00/gate
Seniors (ages 65 & over): $3.00/advance, $6.00/gate
Youth (ages 6 – 12): $3.00/advance, $6.00/gate
Group Pricing (50+): $5.00
Ages 5 and under: ALWAYS FREE
Parking: FREE

Visit www.grandhotelsalem.com to reserve this hotel package- space is limited.

With more than 9,000 things to do, see and taste, the 2011 Oregon State Fair is too big to miss. We can honestly say there is nothing else like it (that we know of) in the state of Oregon!

The 2011 Fair will feature top notch Entertainment, Attractions, Exhibits, Food, Carnival Rides (of course!), Competitions (like the popular STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series) and much much more.

Featured Events:

• “Pairings!” A celebration of Oregon’s wine, cuisine and music—Friday, August 26, 2011, 5 pm – 9 pm
• Il CiRCo’s Viaggio—Friday August 26-Monday September 5, 2:00 & 7:30 PM
• Cheap Trick—Saturday August 27, 2011 8PM
• SessionFest with SouLiv, Ozomatli, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Thursday September 1st, 2011 7:30P
• The Band Perry—Friday September 2nd, 2011 8PM
• The Judds —Saturday September 3rd, 2011 8PM
• Selena Gomez and the Scene—Monday September 5th, 2011 4:30 PM

Tickets for all events are now on sale. Visit oregonstatefair.org/concerts for info.

Too-Big-To-Miss 2011 Oregon State Fair Details
DATES: August 26-September 7, 2011 (Labor Day)
LOCATION: Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem Oregon
HOURS: Sundays-Thursdays: 10 AM – 10 PM Fridays and Saturdays: 10 AM – 11 PM

GENERAL ADMISSION:
Adults (ages 13 – 64): $7.00/advance, $11.00/gate
Seniors (ages 65 & over): $3.00/advance, $6.00/gate
Youth (ages 6 – 12): $3.00/advance, $6.00/gate
Group Pricing (50+): $5.00
Ages 5 and under: ALWAYS FREE
Parking: FREE

The Salem Art Fair & Festival is around the corner and we can’t wait! This annual event is one of the highlights of the summer and features music, food, Northwest wines and micro brew beers, a 5K run,Tours of the historic Bush House Museum, fun, kids activities and of course the unique work of more than 200 fine artists and craftspeople from across the U.S. and Canada.

This event is the annual fundraiser Salem Art Association (SAA); a non-profit corporation that serves the Salem, Oregon community by providing art instruction in regional schools (over 11,000 local children served annually) through its School Programs and a High School Intern Program. The SAA also supports opportunities for regional professional artists and exibits thoughout the year.

So come on out to support this outstanding organization and annual tradition!

What? 2011 Salem Art Fair & Festival
When? July 15 – 17 Friday & Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm with main stage performances from 8 to 9:30 pm
Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Where? Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem, Oregon
How do I learn More? Visit the Website & See their event schedule

Art Fair Admission
$5 per day
$7 for a weekend pass
Free for kids 12 and under
Free admission on Sunday afternoon

Photo courtesy of eat salem

Okay its only June, BUT we are already looking forward to the Oregon State Fair in August. Tickets are on sale, and there are many reasons to get them now, make your reservations at the Grand Hotel, and get ready to get your fair on!
One of the events we are most excited about is Pairings! on Friday 8/26 at 5pm. Local wineries team up with a chef to come up with unique and delicious combinations of food and drink . With so many great wineries in the area, this is sure to be a great time.

But the biggest reason we are excited about this event is the music. Oregon’s own Grammy nominated Patrick Lamb will be on hand hosting a tribute to Ray Charles and absolutely wailing on the sax. I case you don’t know who Patrick Lamb is, here are a few testimonials:

“One of the best instrumentalists I’ve ever worked with..”

~Bobby Caldwell

“Patrick Lamb’s playing and singing are simply fabulous!”

~Two–Time Grammy Winning Diane Schuur

http://www.patricklamb.com/bio.html

And check out this review of his latest album from the Oregonian:
http://www.oregonlive.com/music/index.ssf/2011/06/patrick_lamb_cd_review_getting.html

Patrick is also somewhat of a local hero – he won Portland’s Independent Spirit Award for making “outstanding contributions to the community.”

There are so many great events, concerts, food and drink at the fair this year -  stay tuned to our blog for more information on this and other events!

Pringle Park

1. Oregon State Capitol
Easy walking distance from the hotel, the State Capitol building is a beautiful landmark to explore on your own or with a guide. Starting Memorial Day and going through Labor Day, guided tours of the State Capitol are every hour starting at 9 until 4pm Monday through Friday. Or, just explore it on your own!

2. Pringle Park
A beautiful park with a 2.8-mile loop awaits just down the street from the hotel. Pringle Creek and Sheldon Ditch take you through many different and historic parts of Salem, and is a great way to explore the history and beauty of our city.

3. Elsinore Theater
The Historic Elsinore Theater was built in 1926 and has undergone extensive renovations and is a fantastic venue to watch a show or simply admire the architecture. Tours of the theater are available.

4. River Front Park
Views of the Willamette river combined with the home of the Riverfront Carousel make this a “must-walk”. A truly rewarding destination and entertaining place for visitors of all ages.

5. Willamette University
This historic University sets the tone for much of downtown Salem. Take a walk around the grounds and take in the sights of this beautiful campus founded in 1842.

Two dozen Oregon wineries + eight amazing caterers + live music+ one lush hotel package = one spectacular night out!

The Grand Hotel in Salem will join forces again with Eola-Amity Hills to provide guests with an unforgettably elegant evening celebrating our regional wines!  Our event sold out two weeks before the date last year and our guests loved the chance to taste wines and discuss the vintage with most of the key principals of the Eola-Amity Hills winemaking community.

Special rates starting at $119 plus tax for two adults, shuttle service to and from the event, hot breakfast buffet and a late check out of 1pm the next day.

Enjoy fantastic sweet and savory bites to complement your wine tasting experience from some of the best restaurants and caterers in our area!

BOOK NOW by going to our reservations page or calling our reservations line: 1-877-540-7800

When: March 26th, 2011 7:00PM to 10:00PM
Where: Zenith Vineyard 5657 Zena Rd NW Salem
Wines: Amazing wineries that will be pouring include: Amity Vineyards; Antica Terra; Argyle Winery; Bethel Heights Vineyard; Brooks Wines; Calamity Hill Vineyard; Carter Vineyard; Cherry Hill Winery; Cristom Vineyards; Cubanisimo Vineyards; Domaine Serene; Dukes Family Vineyards;Evesham Wood Winery; Holloran Vineyard Wines; Lewman Vineyard; Methven Family Vineyards; Redhawk Winery; St. Innocent Winery; Stangeland Vineyards; Toluca Lane; Witness Tree Vineyard and Zenith Vineyard

Eight different caterers serving amazing gourmet food and live music complete this event to remember!  Visit the official Event Page for more information!

Salem Saturday Market’s Holiday Market is Willamette Valley’s largest holiday food, gift and decor event- and taking place this weekend: December 11-12 in the Americraft Center (formerly the Jackman-Long Building) at the Oregon State Fairgrounds!

This unique market gives shoppers access to thousands of handcrafted products made by local crafters and artisans.  In addition, you will find delicious special holiday foods for entertaining from local Willamette Valley farmers and food producers. Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

SSM’s Holiday Market has been voted the best Holiday Market in the Willamette Valley and will feature eight $100 shopping spree giveaways, hourly door prizes, visits from Santa, live entertainment, an Oregon authors area, coat/package check, and an action-packed Kid’s Quarter, which will feature face painting, a balloon clown and activities for the younger crowd. Also, Salem Friends of Felines and Marion County Dog Shelter will be doing on-site pet adoptions. www.salemsaturdaymarket.com

Salem Saturday Market’s Holiday Market — December 11-12, 2010
Salem’s largest holiday gift and décor market with over 200 booths of handmade arts, crafts, foods and décor items, live entertainment, raffles, and more!
Oregon State Fairgrounds – Americraft Center
2330 17th St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-585-8264
www.salemsaturdaymarket.com