Members of the Yasui family were among the millions of immigrants who came to the United States seeking new opportunities during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like many Issei (first-generation Japanese immigrants), they experienced racism and oppression; state and federal laws prevented Japanese immigrants from owning land, and anti-Japanese organizations sought to strip Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) of their birthright citizenship. Yet Nikkei (Japanese immigrants and their descendants) like the Yasui family persisted in establishing roots in Oregon, starting families and businesses, and shaping the social and economic fabric of the communities where they lived.
In 2026, the United States marks its 250th birthday with the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence. What did the events of 1776 mean to the people living in the Mid-Willamette Valley? In this multi-part, multi-disciplinary exhibit, we will explore how echoes from the year 1776 continue to be heard in our community. […]
Cities are built upon layered histories. The Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other peoples lived on, traveled through, and cared for this land long before Portland existed. Their stewardship sustained communities for thousands of years, guided by deep ecological knowledge and cultural relationships with the environment. White settlement in […]
Waves of Tradition celebrates the diverse maritime traditions and scenic beauty that shaped Oregon’s South Coast in conjunction with the United States’ 250th anniversary. Highlights include local cultural connections to the shipbuilding and fishing industries as well as traditional festivals, legends, and superstitions. Event Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible venue Accessible parking Sensory-friendly accommodations Service animals welcome
Oregon Contemporary Artists’ Biennial is a survey of works by visual and performing artists who are defining and advancing Oregon’s contemporary art landscape. The exhibition is supplemented by a series of interdisciplinary programming and events. The Price of the Ticket will explore the interconnected themes of place, power, and promise, especially as they relate to […]
Music in the Pines is La Pine’s community concert series, offering live music, local food, vendors, and relaxed summer evenings in the beautiful outdoor setting of La Pine Parks and Recreation. Featuring local bands and community-centered activities, the series gives residents and visitors a true taste of La Pine’s culture, creativity, and natural beautity — […]
Experience five days of action-packed rodeo performances June 30 to July 4 at the St. Paul Rodeo, featuring professional rodeo athletes competing for more than half a million dollars in prize money, carnival rides, food vendors, shopping, live entertainment, and refreshments in our Tack Room Saloon and Outpost Bar. Don’t miss the July 4th parade […]
Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate is a dedicated American Indian classical composer and pianist who expresses his native culture in symphonic music, ballet, and opera. His compositions have been commissioned by major North American orchestras and ensembles, and his works are performed throughout the world. Oregon Bach Festival 2026 presents the world premiere of his Friendship Songs […]
America is a land of many traditions, cultures, and voices that come together to create something entirely new. In this special collaboration, the Oregon Bach Festival and Chamber Music Northwest honor our country’s incredibly diverse musical heritage and rich tapestry of traditions by weaving Dvořák’s American Quintet with groundbreaking works by the innovative Henry Cowell […]
Journey across America with two powerful musical visions. Antonín Dvořák’s beloved ‘New World’ Symphony captures the excitement and yearning of a land of promise. Inspired by American landscapes and folk tunes, it blends soaring melodies and lush orchestration to paint a majestic musical portrait of discovery and enduring spirit. The profound and nostalgic work is […]
Join the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes baseball team for a two-day patriotic! The event will honor military personnel and veterans and is presented in coordination with Major General Julie Bentz, Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark, the National Guard, and countless other military personnel. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes have been hosting Patriotic Tributes for 20 years and won Minor League Baseball’s […]
Join the Columbia River Maritime Museum on July 3, 2026, as educator Julia Triezenberg discusses the history of Columbia River canneries, their impact on coastal communities, and the legacy they leave behind. The first cannery on the Columbia River was established by brothers William and George Hume and their partner, Andrew Hapgood, in 1866. Less than […]
The Greater Yamhill County U.S. Semiquincentennial Celebration honors 250 years of American independence, civic responsibility, and service. The event highlights the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the hard-fought Revolutionary War that secured our freedom, connecting those historic acts of courage to the continuing service and sacrifices of veterans who have defended that freedom […]
The Sounds of Liberty Program celebrates the Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell, and the ideals they represent. Join the Sons of the American Revolution for a reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by ringing the Liberty Bell replica located on the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol in honor of the original 13 […]
The Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce presents a full day of festivities beginning at 11am with an old fashioned parade starting at JFK High School. The fireworks celebration will kick off at 8pm with the Marion County Citizens Band performing an array of classic pieces. GiggleBritches the clown will be providing balloon twisting for the […]
Join your neighbors for a nationwide communal meal on Sunday, July 5, 2026, as part of America250 Utah’s “America’s Potluck.” This initiative invites communities to slow down, share food, and connect across differences — fostering belonging, conversation, and unity. Inspired by the tradition of Sunday dinner, participants are encouraged to host or co-host a potluck […]
On July 8, 2026, communities across the nation and territories will unite in a nationwide reading of the Declaration of Independence, commemorating its first public reading in 1776. “Sharing the Spirit of America” invites Americans to come together — despite spanning 9,500 miles and nine time zones — to read the Declaration at the same […]
Sharing the Spirit of America is a nationwide America250 program to read the Declaration of Independence simultaneously across the United States and territories on the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. The reading will take place at 3pm on July 8, 2026, at the Oregon […]
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (NHOTIC), with thanks to the James and Marion Miller Foundation, will host an “Oregon Folklife Residency,” a 7-month partnership with the Oregon Folklife Network. Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, the friends organization for NHOTIC, reached out to the Oregon Folklife Network to develop a plan to bring Oregon Cultural […]
Conductors Gemma New and Anton Armstrong combine forces for a thrilling exploration of contemporary American music. The evening features Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue, with pianist Conrad Tao — hailed as “ magician at the keyboard” by the Boston Globe. The program also includes Margaret Bonds’ profound and moving Credo, the third iteration of the […]
Music in the Pines is La Pine’s community concert series, offering live music, local food, vendors, and relaxed summer evenings in the beautiful outdoor setting of La Pine Parks and Recreation. Featuring local bands and community-centered activities, the series gives residents and visitors a true taste of La Pine’s culture, creativity, and natural beautity — […]
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, trace the story of the nation’s rise on a journey with Oregon Military Museum Project through Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Begin in Boston, where the American Revolution took root and venture to nearby Lexington and Concord, where the “shot heard ’round the world” was fired. Explore […]
The iconic Astoria Column, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most recognizable landmarks, will celebrate its centennial in July 2026, marking 100 years since its dedication in 1926. Completed in 1926, the Astoria Column was inspired by Rome’s Trajan Column and built to commemorate the pioneering spirit of the Pacific Northwest and the founding of Astoria […]
Music in the Pines is La Pine’s community concert series, offering live music, local food, vendors, and relaxed summer evenings in the beautiful outdoor setting of La Pine Parks and Recreation. Featuring local bands and community-centered activities, the series gives residents and visitors a true taste of La Pine’s culture, creativity, and natural beautity — […]
The Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo is Central Oregon’s premier summer tradition, bringing together community, culture, and western heritage for an unforgettable, multi-day celebration. The largest country fair in Oregon, it showcases the very best of the region from agriculture and livestock to arts, entertainment, and family-friendly fun for all ages. This year’s fair runs […]
