Good morning, Salem.

Oregon State Parks will celebrate State Parks Day on June 6 by waiving day-use parking fees for Oregon residents.

Park staff have been prepping the sites, as several parks also host events such as a festival, star party, guided hike + gardening workshops for visitors.

Todd Koch, a retired rodeo cowboy and hops grower with deep roots in St. Paul, leads the upcoming rodeo board role at the St. Paul Rodeo from June 30 to July 1 while running his Cascade Greenleaf farm known for award-winning hops plus volunteering throughout the community since the 1990s.

A bean-to-bar shop named Rogue Chocolate will open on June 20 at Reed Opera House (189 Liberty St. NE), offering craft chocolate bars and tasting events; owner Ben Bailey, who previously ran Chomp Chocolate, said local customers helped raise nearly $40,000 through crowdfunding.

Salem’s jobless rate dropped to 4.9% in April while 800 new jobs were added, mostly by private employers in business and professional services even though health care lost 100 jobs.

The figure is lower than the statewide rate but remains above the national average.

The Oregon State Treasury has launched the Kinder Grad program today, giving kindergarteners a $100 bonus when they deposit $25 in an Embark account.

The Treasury aims to double the number of college savings accounts through statewide ads and events.

Isaac Reynolds, a graduating senior from McKay High School, led the school’s bands and choirs with quiet wisdom (a trait noted by his teachers) and set a strong example for his peers; in the fall, he will attend George Fox University to study worship arts and theology.

Teacher Appreciation Night

6:35 – 11:59 p.m. — Chemeketa Baseball Field — Free admission for teachers — Celebrate the amazing educators of our community at the ballpark with a fun-filled evening.

Grupo Barak Concert

6:00pm-9:00pm — L.B. Day Amphitheater — $10 per vehicle — Experience an inspiring night of contemporary worship and Latin rhythms with Grupo Barak.

Santiam Hospital & Clinics Fun Run & Health Walk

8:30 – 11:00 AM — Santiam Hospital & Clinics — Registration required — Lace up your shoes for a fun-filled day of running and walking in Stayton.

2026 ACWA Biosolids Management Workshop

9:30 AM - 4:30 PM — Salem Public Library — Paid entry — Dive into the latest research on biosolids' benefits for soil health and sustainable farming.

Bonnie Raitt Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Elsinore Theatre — Tickets from $581 — Experience the unforgettable sounds of Bonnie Raitt live in Salem.

Salem Summer Solstice 5k & 10k Run

6-9 p.m. — Minto-Brown Island Park — $20-$25 — Celebrate the summer solstice with a fun run and a sweet ice cream sundae finish.

Mosaic Lamp Workshop in Salem

2.5 hours — Salem Convention Center — All materials included — Create your own hand-painted ceramic bowl or plate in a relaxing workshop with Turkish tea and treats.

7th Annual Haley's Heroes Run for the Rare

Haley's Heroes Foundation presents the 7th Annual RUN/WALK FOR THE RARE — a 10K, 5K, and 1-Mile Run/Walk supporting International Batten Disease Awareness Day. Join us on June 14th to Run for the Rare and be part of the effort to find a cure. #RunForTheRare

CYOJ Daddy Daughter Dance

6-9 p.m. — Creekside Golf Club — Free entry — A delightful evening for dads and daughters to bond over fun and laughter.

Capital Cup Soccer Tournament

June 19th-21st — Capital Futbol Club — Varies — Compete in a thrilling soccer tournament set in beautiful Salem, OR.