Best of the Willamette Valley

02/07/2025

Best of the Willamette Valley is BACK!! 🏔️🥇

For the first year ever, we’ll be honoring not only Gold and Silver winners in each category but also Bronze! With all winners featured in a full-sized magazine, this year’s competition will be bigger and better than ever.

This is your chance to celebrate the best local spots, restaurants, and businesses that make our community amazing!

Our focus is on businesses and professionals that support, serve, and do business in the following counties:
📍Marion
📍Polk
📍Yamhill
📍Linn
📍Lincoln County (For "Best of Lincoln County" categories)

Nominations kick off Monday, February 17! Don’t miss out—head to shopbowv.com for all the details!

✨ 2025 Best of the Willamette Valley is presented by Advantage Heating, AC & Electrical ✨

02/01/2025

This Valentine’s Day, explore charming local spots in Salem for budget-friendly yet memorable date nights. From ice cream flights to decadent cheesecake, there’s something sweet for every couple. Click the link to discover the best affordable Valentine’s treats!

Sweets and treats under $20 for Mid-Valley residents to enjoy on a date night out

01/31/2025

Make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable with fine wines, decadent chocolates, and intimate dining experiences across Willamette Valley. From four-course dinners to chocolate and whiskey pairings, these Valentine’s events offer something for every palate. Click the link to explore the perfect way to celebrate!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with some of the valley’s best distillers and winemakers through a variety of drinking socials and pairing events.

01/30/2025

Experience the best of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA at the 2025 Equinox Celebration! On March 15, enjoy tastings from 30+ local wineries, gourmet bites from top restaurants, and a stunning vineyard setting at Zenith Vineyard. Click the link to learn more about this unforgettable evening and grab your tickets today!

The Eola-Amity Hills Winegrowers Association has announced its annual Equinox event, to be held at Salem’s Zenith Vineyard on March 15, 2025. Equinox celebrates the exceptional wine and food of the Willamette Valley’s Eola-Amity Hills American Viticu

01/29/2025

Revino is transforming the wine industry with a circular glass-reuse system that keeps bottles out of landfills and reduces environmental impact. With wineries and restaurants across the region participating, sustainable packaging has never been easier. Click the link to see how Revino is making a difference.

A Newberg company called Revino, helped by an infusion of cash from the SEDCOR Shark Tank, is all about recycling wine bottles and having them refilled. It’s a process popular in Europe and its time has come to the Willamette Valley – often called th

12/21/2024

Recycling your live Christmas tree is an easy way to support the environment and community programs. Local options across the Willamette Valley, including Boy Scout troops and transfer stations, make it simple. Click the link for all the details on where and how to recycle your tree.

There are myriad nonprofit groups or businesses taking trees and other yard debris to be chipped or incinerated.

12/19/2024

Rebecca Donaldson was more than a celebrated realtor and past Best of the Willamette Valley winner—she was a devoted mother, friend, and a true advocate for her community. From helping veterans find homes to giving back in countless ways, Rebecca's kindness and dedication left a lasting impact. 💙

Learn about her incredible journey and the difference she made for so many.

Rebecca Donaldson passed away in Tennessee after being diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme in May this year. She had moved to the southeast to be closer to her daughter, Peyton, but had worked earlier in her career in the Willamette Valley.

12/04/2024

Hanukkah is a celebration of light, miracles, and cherished traditions. This year, join the Salem community on Dec. 29th for the grand menorah lighting ceremony. Enjoy music, games, and treats as the community celebrates the season's miracle. Click to learn more about the Hanukkah festivities!

A joyous time of year, Hanukkah serves as a bright light, and Salem’s grand menorah lighting is one way the community celebrates this festive season

12/03/2024

Celebrate the holidays at Deepwood Estate’s Christmas open house on Dec. 7th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy Victorian decorations, handcrafted gifts, and a visit from Santa in this historic 125-year-old home. Step into the magic of Christmas—click to discover more!

The historic Victorian estate is once again inviting the public to join it for holiday festivities during its annual open house

12/02/2024

Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration of unity and culture, begins December 26th! Explore local events and activities to honor this special holiday. Click to find out more about Kwanzaa celebrations in your area!

Kwanza is a nonreligious winter celebration that blends traditions from African cultures the world over. The week-long holiday celebrates family, community togetherness, and cultural solidarity.

11/30/2024

For over 90 years, Peacock Lane in Portland has become a magical holiday wonderland, with homes decked out in lights and festive scenes. Experience the tradition in person starting December 15 and get into the holiday spirit!

Click to read more about this enchanting event!

For eleven months out of the year, Peacock Lane looks the same as any other street in Oregon. But when December rolls around, it transforms into a magical street full of colorful lights and carolers, ready to share the spirit of Christmas.

11/28/2024

The historic Elsinore Theater in Salem is the place to be this holiday season, offering everything from festive ballets to classic holiday movies. With performances from talented musicians and dancers, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season.

Click to learn more about this historic theater’s festive events!

Array of holiday shows scheduled at historic theater again this year

11/27/2024

What an honor it is to work with a growing number of local businesses who have a value and focus on celebrating the Best in our communities. Thank you to those past, present and future that we will work with. Happy Thanksgiving!

11/26/2024

Santa kicks off this year’s Holiday season at Salem's Riverfront Carousel on November 29, arriving aboard the Christmas Express Train at 12:30pm. Don't miss out on the fun and festive activities for all ages this season.

Grab your tickets for Photos With Santa and other Holiday events at the carousel before they sell out!

This local landmark will be the site of a unique holiday events for kids from 1 to 92.

11/25/2024

On December 6, Western Oregon University’s giant sequoia tree lighting brings the community together with festive cheer, hot cider, and a holiday parade. Click to read more about this cherished tradition!

Western Oregon University’s annual sequoia tree lighting brings holiday cheer and community spirit to Monmouth. On December 6th, enjoy a festive parade, local vendors, hot cocoa, and the dazzling illumination of the 123-foot sequoia. Free admission!

11/15/2024

Oregon's hidden speakeasies are reviving the mystery and thrill of the 1920s, from secret entrances to password-only access. Discover unique cocktail spots like Portland’s Voysey, Grandma’s Secret, and many others that bring Prohibition-era charm into the present. Click to explore these hidden gems and start planning your next night out!

The Willamette Valley area is unapologetically hiding several underground cocktail bars – here’s how to find them.

11/14/2024

Get ready to experience a world of culture at Salem’s first-ever World Beat Holiday Night Market! With 26 global vendors offering unique, handmade items, live music, and delicious treats, it’s a holiday shopping event like no other. Click to learn more about this exciting multicultural celebration on November 16th.

The cultural nonprofit World Beat is hosting its first Holiday Night Market which showcases an array of global vendors’ handmade goods perfect for gifting, along with music and food, all indoors