Rebrand celebrates the history and future of Salem, the Cherry City.
SALEM, OR: Salem is in for an exciting change. The Bite & Brew of Salem, an annual summertime event, is taking on a new name and brand that is family-friendly and celebrates the history and future of the city in a new way. Together, with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, today marks the unveiling and presentation of the new brand identity for The Bite & Brew of Salem: Cherryfest NW.
“We are proud to present a new brand identity for The Bite & Brew of Salem,” said Jason Unruh, President of the Hoopla Association, the organization that has run The Bite & Brew of Salem since 2012. “Cherryfest NW is catchy, memorable and captures the full extent of what Cherryfest NW really is – an event that celebrates Salem; both where we have been and where we are going.”
Cherryfest NW will take place from July 4-8 at Riverfront Park with free admission on the Fourth of July, as well as on Sunday, July 8th. As previously announced, Cherryfest NW will be hosting the Fourth of July fireworks this year in conjunction with the City of Salem.
Cherryfest NW is a name that is rooted in history. Known as the Cherry City since 1947, Salem had hosted the Cherry Festival, a three-day event with games and contests on Court Street where cherry princesses were crowned. Unruh is exploring bringing back the best of the community’s oldest traditions, including the crowning of princesses and a parade.
The rebrand, inspired by the SXSW festival, includes a new logo and color palette designed by Michael Hernandez of The Bruin Co., a local Salem business and Chamber member.
“The new name and brand is an opportunity for Salem,” said Nick Williams, CEO of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber is excited to partner with Cherryfest NW and work together to make Salem a great place to live by expanding the reach of this incredible event to all of Oregon.”
Cherryfest NW fills a need for unity and excitement in downtown Salem that will attract guests from all of Oregon. Cherryfest NW will retain many of the same activities of The Bite & Brew of Salem, such as live music, 80+ microbrews and ciders, a variety of food vendors, a carnival, and a Kid Zone that guests have come to enjoy and expect.
There will be exciting new events as well. For example, in partnership with Titanium Racing, the Salem Stars and Stripes Run will include a 5k run with military-style challenges and a ½ mile run for kids 12 and under that will finish at Cherryfest NW. Also on the Fourth of July, crowd favorite, Scott Tom will emcee and host family-friendly games such as hula hoop contests, a water balloon toss, limbo contests, and much more.
There will be a free cornhole competition with the American Cornhole Organization on July 6 with the inaugural NW Cornhole Classic taking place on July 7. Cherryfest NW will also be hosting Greeters, a Salem Chamber event, the morning of July 6.
“With the transition to Cherryfest NW, we envision many new opportunities in the years ahead,” said Unruh. “It is a great time to be involved with the event and we are open to and encourage new partnerships with other pro-Salem people, groups and businesses. We think the potential of Cherryfest NW is tremendous and right now is a great time to get involved.”
Click here to see the Cherryfest NW website.
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The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce is a privately-funded 501(c)(6) not-for-profit membership organization that represents over 1,200 businesses, who employ over 50,000 Oregonians in the Mid-Willamette Valley. To learn more about the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, please visit https://salemchamber.org.
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The Hoopla Association is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization committed to bringing fun, community-minded events to the Salem area. The Hoopla Association currently operates three primary events, Hoopla, Cherryfest NW and Salem Winter Brewfest. To learn more about Hoopla (www.oregonhoopla.com), Cherryfest NW (www.cherryfestnw.com) or Salem Winter Brewfest (www.salemwinterbrewfest.com), please visit their websites or call Jason at 503-881-6066.