Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What’s new at this year’s Oregon State Fair in Salem?
Coming up: 2026 Open Studios on the Salem Patch calendar
Good morning Salem! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Salem PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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In today's newsletter:
- What's new at this year's Oregon State Fair in Salem?
- Why Salem gas just jumped to nearly $4.60 a gallon
- What Kotek's new emergency management month means for Salem residents
Also on today's calendar: 2026 Open Studios and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 87 and low of 57 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Sunshine and a few clouds, temps: high: 82, low: 55.
- Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 89 and low of 57 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. How the Oregon State Fair brings farming to life for Oregonians (capitalpress.com) — Salem will again host the Oregon State Fair from Aug. 28 to Sept. 7 at the fairgrounds on 17th Street NE, with expanded agricultural exhibits and thousands of livestock entries. Alongside 4-H and FFA shows, visitors can enjoy new attractions like highland cattle and an "Electric Drill Team," plus concerts, carnival rides, and a daily America 250 Live show. 
2. Gas prices in Eugene rise as national average goes back over four dollars (kval.com) — Salem drivers are paying more at the pump, with local gas prices climbing 4.8 cents to an average of $4.58 per gallon, similar to increases in Eugene and Portland. The national average has also topped $4 again, as analysts point to international conflicts and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz and in Russia as key factors.
3. Gov. Kotek proclaims August as National Emergency Management Awareness Month in Oregon (ktvz.com) — From Salem, Gov. Tina Kotek has declared August 2026 National Emergency Management Awareness Month, spotlighting the professionals and agencies preparing Oregon communities for disasters. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management and its partners will use the month to promote preparedness resources, support counties and Tribes, and coordinate public-private efforts to strengthen resilience statewide.
4. 'I stand with you:' Messages from Salem city councilors to Wallace Marine Park residents (salemreporter.com) — Salem city councilors are sending messages of support and caution to Wallace Marine Park residents as the city prepares to end camping there despite limited shelter options. Campers and advocates question how promised dignity and flexibility square with cleanup schedules and threats of arrest when no adequate alternative housing is available.
📸 Around Salem
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Salem Emerging Leaders - After Hours - Summer Family BBQ →
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Acres of Hope - 6665 Rickreall Road, Independence, OR 97351
4:30 pm - National Association of Women in Construction - Salem Chapter #198 - General Meeting
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Broadway Commons - Mexico Room, 3rd Floor 1300 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR
5:30 pm - Hawaiian Luau
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 4138 Market St NE Salem, OR 97301
12:00 pm - Greeters Hosted by The REC
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 3500 River Rd N Keizer, OR 97303
8:30 am - Free Pour Latte Art Competition and Fundraiser
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Broadway Coffeehouse 1300 Broadway St. NE Suite #100 Salem, OR 97301
6:00 pm - 2026 Open Studios →
Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St SE, Salem
5:00 pm - GH4GU: Night at the Museum (Y2K Edition)
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Gilbert House Children's Museum 116 Marion St NE Salem, OR 97301
7:00 pm - Wonder Walk Impressions →
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce The Oregon Garden
11:00 am - Salem Emerging Leaders - Coffee Social - 08.27.2026 →
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Location & Address to be announced.
8:30 am - Sundial Tour of Homes →
2310 Lancaster Dr SE, Salem
12:00 pm
Wednesday August 19
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Sunday August 23
Thursday August 27
Saturday August 29
📣 Salem Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening →
Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE, Salem
7:00 pm - National Association of Women in Construction - Salem Chapter #198 - General Meeting
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Broadway Commons - Mexico Room, 3rd Floor 1300 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR
5:30 pm - 8/19 Campesinos vs Mavericks →
Volcanoes Stadium, 6700 Field Of Dreams Way Northeast Suite 101, Keizer
6:00 pm - Hawaiian Luau
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 4138 Market St NE Salem, OR 97301
12:00 pm
Tuesday August 18
Wednesday August 19
Thursday August 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hi neighbors.
We are frantically trying to find our little black Shih Tzu dog named Griffey. He's been lost for about two or three hours now so if you happen to… (Nextdoor Bailey Ridge/Illahe) - We just tried a new dining place last night Sarina's Italian Restaurant on the corner of Chemeketa and Liberty across from the old Penney's Building last night and it was AWESOME!
The service was great, the food was amazing. Nice fresh , and very authentic flavor and the portions were very adequate ( in fact so much that we got… (Nextdoor Monroe Ave)
- Pilot Travel Centers, LLC posted a job opening for Janitorial Maintenance in Salem. Apply here.
- Oracle posted a job opening for Principal Delivery Manager - Low Voltage - Saline Township, MI in Salem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Salem here.
Ok Salem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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