Design a garden, create a butterfly, learn about bees, view the sun with a solar telescope and enjoy art, multicultural music and aerial dances among the trees. All this and more awaits at the annual free and family-friendly Englewood Forest Festival held Aug. 8 in Englewood Park in Northeast Salem. 

The festival offers a full summer day to discover, learn and create, plus opportunities to connect and enjoy art, dance and music while also learning about the Mid-Willamette Valley environment and ways to protect nature in backyards and neighborhoods. 

The chance to wander through the 7-acre forested Englewood Park on a summer day is a major highlight. Developed by the renown Lord & Schryver design team, Salem’s oldest park is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. 

The peaceful park is a hidden gem in Northeast Salem populated with many oaks and pines, plus birds, animals, plants and flowers. 

Geared for people of all ages, the festival offers a wealth of art and nature-based activities. It also strives to represent numerous cultures through such activities as piñata and Mexican folk art painting and performances by Ballet Folklorico Guelaguetza.

Children and others can play an instrument, paint a sculpture, get wildflower seeds, try an aerial trapeze, make a bird feeder, identify bird nests, learn about wildlife, trees, climate change, trees, parks, emergency preparedness, and more.

Now in its 8th year, the festival will have 80 vendors including many local artists, nonprofits, and community resources. Numerous food vendors will be on hand including pizza, grilled cheese, Indian and African food booths, as well as Crumbl cookies.

Entertainers this year include SamaZama Koto/ Cello Duo. Robin Gentlewolf performing Native American flute and tribal drum music, and Banboozled, a Gamelan, a group performing Indonesian xylophones, gongs, flues, drums and tuned rattles, among others. 

A poetry reading features Salem poet and landscape painter John Van Dreal followed by an open microphone.

Crowd favorites will return - the Ty Curtis blues band, Salem Aerial Dance Company, Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Dance Troupe, and the Premier Academy of Performing Arts dancers.

The festival promotes youth mentorship with numerous performances containing young people performing in ENLACE, the PAPA Dancers, Paradise of Samoa, Ceili of the Valley and Salem Aerial Dance Company. 

Among the artist vendors people will find many artists using recycled pieces, ceramics, painting, jewelry, photography, fiber, glass art, clothing, sculpture, garden art plus poets and novelists. 

This year’s poster features the art of Bekah Zeimetz and depicts a Steller's jay and Red elderberry. Her artwork is an exploration of the intersection between humans and nature symbolizing the beauty and potential of our community she describes as “a love song to your wild heart”.

A highlight is the Repair Fair where people can bring small household appliances, jewelry, and electronics to be repaired free of charge.

Numerous city and environmental nonprofit vendors and community services will be on hand. Some are Dark Skies Salem, Chintimini Wildlife Center, Lord & Schryver, the Salem Oregon Circus Company, Center 50+, Willamette Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon, Salem Audubon Society, 
The Englewood Forest Festival is sponsored by Transient and Occupancy Tax from the City of Salem, Marion Cultural Development Corporation, Neighborly Ventures, Northeast Neighbors.

Englewood Park is about 1 mile west of I-5 exit 256 at Market St. The park is adjacent to Englewood School, between D Street and Market Street NE.