Explore Bite & Brew of Salem July 21-24

Get in the mood for summertime fun with the Bite & Brew of Salem featuring live music, games and rides plus food and drink for the entire family in the heart of downtown.

The festival opens with discounted $3 admission for everyone on Thursday, July 21, so start your weekend early.

“We added Thursday night last year and had a great crowd,” event director Jason Unruh said.

On Sunday, admission is free, thanks to Country Financial, Unruh noted.

Musical entertainment features a variety of area bands with special attention paid to the tribute band. Headliners include Grand Royale, Beastie Boys tribute, on Thursday; Stone in Love, Journey tribute, on Friday; and Appetite for Deception, Guns N’ Roses tribute, on Saturday. Sunday highlights a blues lineup with King Louie and LaRhonda Steele followed by Metts, Ryan & Collins, with Ty Curtis closing out the event.

Science Night for Adults looks at beer July 21

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and low-back lawn chairs to relax and enjoy the music. Leashed dogs are welcome.

The beverage lineup includes about 80 different beers, as well as cider and wine, including alcoholic slushies.

“I think there is just some cool subtle changes that people are going to enjoy,” Unruh said. “Part of the beer, a third or maybe up to a half, is going to be served under a bigger tent for more shade, and I think it will be a nice atmosphere. We always like to tweak things a little bit.”

In the Kids Zone, attendees will find inflatables, such as bounce houses and slides, plus interactive toys, games and a zip line from Madjek Event and Party Rentals. Prices vary per ride.

Returning this year after a few off, there will be a carnival with games and rides operated by Rainier Amusements.

“We love Madjek. They have been an awesome partner. We love what they provide and are going to continue to have them, but the carnival can just accommodate more people,” Unruh said. “I think it fills a little bit of a void for older teenagers and younger adults for something to do so we are really excited about bringing that extra element in.”

Shakespeare goes pirate-style July 20-23 in Keizer

Featured food is as diverse as the beer and entertainment offerings. There will be about eight vendors from Salem’s food truck scene plus a handful of restaurants. Both sweet and savory treats are on the menus, which range from beignets and elephant ears to barbecue, paella and a variety of Asian-fusion foods.

“The variety and offering of food is I think the best that we’ve had,” Unruh said.

The Bite & Brew of Salem is organized by The Hoopla Association, a nonprofit that operates events for local community betterment, such as ONG Hoopla XVIII and the Salem Winter Brewfest. In 2015, Hoopla Association generated $56,000 for Salem-area charities focused primarily on youth activities.

Carlee Wright is the entertainment reporter for the Statesman Journal. Contact Carlee at cwright2@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6671, or follow her on Twitter @CarleeWrightSJ, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/CarleeWrightSJ.

Millennials invade Pentacle Theatre in 'The Aliens'

Bite & Brew of Salem

When: 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 21, and Friday, July 22, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 23, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 24

Where: Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. NE

Cost: $3 Thursday ages 6 and older; Friday and Saturday are $8 for ages 6 and older, $4 for ages 65 and older and military with ID or $20 a family up to two adults and five kids; Sunday is free

Tickets: Purchase discounted tickets online at thebiteandbrew.com/tickets

Information: 503-881-6066 or thebiteandbrew.com

Musical lineup

Thursday, July 21

4:30 to 6 p.m.: Goldfoot — Funk, rock and electric soul

6:30 to 8 p.m.: Kinky Brothers — Rock, hip-hop and soul

8:30 to 10:30 p.m.: Grand Royale — Beastie Boys tribute

Friday, July 22

5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Radical Revolution — '80s tribute

7 to 8:30 p.m.: Unchained — Van Halen tribute

9 to 10:30 p.m.: Stone in Love — Journey tribute

Saturday, July 23

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Mikael Pederson — Rock,blues, folk and indie

1:30 to 3 p.m.: Gabriel Cox — Blues rock

3:30 to 5 p.m.: Jacob Westfall — Soul/pop

5:30 to 7 p.m.: Haley Johnsen — Blues-inspired pop

7:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Lovedrive — Scorpions tribute

9 to 10:30 p.m.: Appetite for Deception — Guns N’ Roses tribute

Sunday, July 24 — Blues all day

Noon to 1:30 p.m.: King Louie & LaRhonda Steele

2 to 3:30 p.m.: Metts, Ryan & Collins

4 to 5:30 p.m.: Ty Curtis