Mapleton Community School Celebrates Final Upriver Farmers Market with AUTUMN Equinox Block Party

Updated September 9, 2026 — MAPLETON, OR — Mapleton Community School will bring the 2026 Upriver Farmers Market season to a close on Friday, September 25, with a special Autumn Equinox Block Party celebrating local food, families, creativity, and the community connections that make Mapleton a special place to live.

The final Upriver Farmers Market will run from 2 to 6 p.m. at Mapleton High School, 10868 E Mapleton Rd., Mapleton, OR 97453. The Autumn Equinox Block Party will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Admission is free and the event is open to everyone.

The afternoon will combine the best of the farmers and maker market with a festive lineup of activities for all ages. Community members can shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, crafts, jewelry, and other locally produced goods while enjoying face painting, live music, yard games, demonstrations, cider pressing, and more.

The Equinox celebration will feature cider pressing, an open community jam, free Yoga, story time with the Mapleton Librarian, a Pie, Cobbler & Crisp Contest, and end with a performance by local music group Box Rat. Community members are invited to bring their favorite baked creation and join in the fun.
“Events like this are an important part of what it means to be a community. They give our students, families, neighbors, local growers, makers, and community partners a chance to come together, build relationships, and share in something bigger than themselves,” said Sue Wilson, Superintendent of Mapleton Community School. “We want our students to see that learning, creativity, service, and community life are all connected. The final market and Equinox Block Party are a wonderful celebration of those connections. We Build. We Grow. We Connect. Those words are more than our school motto. They reflect the mission we are dedicated to and the role we hope to play in strengthening the Upriver communities we are fortunate to call home.”

The celebration also reflects the goals of Mapleton Community School’s Garden Project-Based Learning (PBL) program, which gives students hands-on opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences. Through the school garden and market, students explore agriculture, environmental stewardship, nutrition, entrepreneurship, and community engagement while developing leadership and career-ready skills.

Family activities will be part of the market experience, including face painting, chalk drawing, and a market scavenger hunt. Children and families can also gather for librarian-led storytime, music, and hands-on crafts, creating opportunities for young people to learn, imagine, and create alongside their families and neighbors.

The Upriver Farmers Market is also proud to accept SNAP/EBT benefits, helping make fresh, healthy, locally grown food more accessible to community members.

“Whether someone comes to buy vegetables, enter a pie, press cider, play a game, listen to music, meet a neighbor, or simply spend an afternoon together, there is a place for them here,” said Beth Miller, Upriver Market Coordinator. “The Upriver Market is more than just a marketplace, we are a gathering place where everyone belongs.”

The community is invited to join Mapleton Community School for the final market of the season and celebrate the changing season together.

EVENT DETAILS
Upriver Farmers Market & Autumn Equinox Block Party
Friday, September 25, 2026
Upriver Farmers Market: 2–6 p.m.
Autumn Equinox Block Party: 3–6 p.m.

Mapleton High School
10868 E Mapleton Rd.
Mapleton, OR 97453
Admission: Free and open to the public
SNAP/EBT: Accepted
Activities include:
Community Jam
Yoga
Pie, Cobbler & Crisp Contest
Librarian Led Story Time and Activities
Box Rat
Cider Pressing Station
Face Painting
Yard Games
Demonstrations & Workshops
Children’s activities
Music, crafts, and more

Community/Media Contact:
uprivermarket@mapleton.k12.or.us