First Wednesday Culture Fest Sinks Time Capsule While Celebrating Sidewalks (VIDEO)

New sidewalks and a Downtown Salem Time Capsule were centerpoints of this monthly celebration

Salem Mayor Taylor and Roger Yost, owner of the Reed Opera House, hold the time capsule that won't be opened again for 25 years. Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - Salem’s downtown celebrates art, music, dance and culture each month when the sidewalks come to life in a special event called First Wednesday.

New sidewalks near the Reed opera House allow more room for events like First Wednesday, and more cause for celebration if you ask Salem Mayor Janet Taylor, “It is a wonderful revitalization, it will be good for another 50 years.”

And underneath those new sidewalks will be something to remember 2006 by. A time capsule containing all kinds of things relevant to today’s downtown Salem will be hidden away for a quarter of a century.

A lot of interesting stuff, according to Reed Opera House owner Roger Yost, that won’t see the light of day for a long time, “It will be fun some day to see what is in it and see what kind of things we were using in 2006.” What event would be right without a ribbon cutting? This celebration involved a floral ribbon; accentuating the life that downtown Salem celebrates every day. Janet Taylor and City Manager Bob Wells joined Yost and the Reed Opera House’s Rebecca Maitland in ushering in the newly completed pedestrian areas.

First Wednesday brings out the more exotic side of Salem. A local bellydance instructor named Jody Beckwith performed several numbers along with other members of the R.J. Dance Studio in Salem. She says the newly expansion and renovation makes using the sidewalks for a stage, easier than ever, “I love downtown Salem, I have always taught in downtown, it means a lot to us to see improvements.”. And so went a collection of items gathered from a city that remembers its past, while at the same time considering the future.

Salem’s First Wednesday is a unique opportunity for all people to get out and take in some different sights, learning another side of the capitol city that they may not have seen in their regular travels. It is also an excellent way for artists and performers of all backgrounds and styles and join others who thrive on the city’s downtown culture.

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