Since 1983, the Eugene Celebration has been bringing the Eugene community together. Music, food, art and more are available at this annual street festival. It’s the biggest in Oregon besides the Rose Festival, attracting as many as 60,000 participants.
According to its Web site, the Celebration is made up of performance stages “linked by street performers, face painters, food vendors, beverage gardens, a marketplace, a special venue showcasing up to 100 non-profit groups, an extensive KidZone area, the Celebration Parade, the Pet Parade, sporting events and much, much more.”
This year’s festival will run from Sept. 30 until Oct. 2. The theme is “Live on Broadway!”
During the Celebration’s Pre-Flight party on Sept. 2, Chairman of the Board of Downtown Events Managing Barry G. Blanton talked about the city’s 23rd-annual Eugene Celebration.
“The Eugene Celebration is a big, big deal, over three days,” Blanton said.
Blanton explained that after the storms during last year’s Celebration, some questioned whether everything would come together this year.
“It rained last year, so we’re going to make up for it. … It’s been a rough year to come back from, but there is a lot of energy.”
Blanton also said that because of the timing of last year’s festival, “we were lacking students.” This year, the festival runs at the end of September so University students will be in town and able to attend the Celebration.
“One big change is the change of date … we really want the students to come and enjoy Eugene,” Blanton said. He described the Celebration as being a great chance for University students to understand the city of Eugene beyond the University campus.
Blanton said the Eugene Celebration showcases every aspect of the Eugene community.
“It doesn’t matter what kind of music you are into, there’s going to be something for you,” he said. “It’s going to be the best one for a variety of people.”
Another change this year will be in the physical setup of the festival. Past Eugene Celebrations were split into a section in downtown Eugene, and a separate section near the Fifth Street Market. This year’s Celebration will be concentrated on Broadway between Oak and Olive, with planners aiming to achieve what Blanton calls a “critical mass.”
Street acts and artists will be one of the festival’s main draws, and Blanton says to expect mimes, human statues, painters, sculptors, jugglers and comedians. Two years ago, fire-dancers performed at the Celebration.
So large is the offering of venues, Blanton said, “you only have time to go to about half of them. There will be a big emphasis on all the arts of Eugene.”
Blanton emphasized that music is especially significant to the appeal of the festival.
“Here’s your headline,” Blanton said, “40 bands for $10 at the Eugene Celebration.”
The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, a group native to Eugene, will play two sets at the Celebration, starting at 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 1.
Other musical acts include the North Mississippi Allstars, a modern group blending folk, blues and rock music, who will play at 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 30, and Eugene rock band SILAS, self-described as prone to “foot stompin’ tunes,” playing Oct. 1 at 6 p.m..
Blanton was excited to say that aside from the listed offerings of the Eugene Celebration, “there are going to be some surprises.”
Although Blanton is keeping his mouth shut on what he calls the Eugene Celebration’s biggest surprise, it sounds like one that will be especially enjoyable to a college audience.
“We want University students to know that they are very, very welcome at the Eugene Celebration,” he said.
Celebration attendees can come and go with more ease this year, thanks to admission wristbands that will stay valid through the weekend. A three-day wristband is $10, a single-day pass is $6 and children 12 and younger get in for free.
The Eugene Celebration will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 30. Oct. 1 and 2 both begin at 11:30 a.m. as well; festival events will run until midnight on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, and 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 2.
You can find the Eugene Celebration program and more information, at eugenecelebration.com.
