10 Things to Do this Summer in Eugene

Photo source: Eugene, Cascades & Coast Facebook
Photo source: Eugene, Cascades & Coast Facebook

Spending the summer in Eugene a.k.a. “Emerald City” or “Track Town USA” this year? You are in luck! Eugene is one of the world’s most livable cities known for natural beauty, eclectic shops, restaurants, music, festivals, arts, and outdoor recreational opportunities like bicycling, kayaking, and running. The city comes alive each summer with numerous festivals, performances, outdoor recreation and more!

Here are 10 awesome things you can do this summer in our lovely city:

1. Oregon Bach Festival

June 26, 2014-July 13, 2014
Multiple Locations
The Oregon Bach Festival presents three weeks of choral-orchestral masterworks, guest artists, chamber music, social events, and education programs. Based in Eugene, the University of Oregon event also produces a summer series in Portland (Bachfest PDX), with concerts throughout Oregon. Visit oregonbachfestival.com/festival for concert times and info.

2. Art and the Vineyard & Freedom Festival Fireworks

July 04, 2014 – July 06, 2014
Location: Alton Baker Park Club Rd and Coburg Rd, Eugene, OR 97401
Art and the Vineyard is the premier art and wine festival in the Southern Willamette Valley. The festival, which is the principal fundraiser for the Maude Kerns Art Center, attracts over 25,000 visitors annually during the Fourth of July weekend. Browse and shop art, taste wines, enjoy great food and listen to live music next to the river.

3. IAFF World Junior Championships

July 22, 2014 – July 27, 2014
Hayward Field 1580 E 15th Ave, Eugene, OR
The biennial IAAF World Championships is the jewel of the IAAF World Athletics Series of events which also includes indoor, junior, youth, cross country, race walking and road running during a four year cycle of World Championships and or Cup events for each of these types of competition.

4. Lane County Fair

July 23, 2014 – July 27, 2014
Location: Lane Events Center 796 W 13th Ave, Eugene, OR 97402
Excellent family fun, concerts, carnival rides, games, animals and entertainment. This year’s concert line-up kicks-off with Everclear, Soul Asylum, Eve 6 and Spacehog, all on Wednesday the 23! On Thursday, July 24, platinum band TESLA takes the stage. Friday, July 25, features country music superstar Trace Adkins. Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo rock the fairgrounds on Saturday, July 26. Then on Sunday, July 27, Josh Turner takes the stage to close out the biggest Fair ever!

5. Faerieworlds 2014

July 25, 2014 – July 27, 2014
Location: Mt Pisgah Arboretum Howard Buford Park, Eugene, OR 97401
Faerieworlds is an annual music and arts festival held annually. The festival’s primary theme is the “realm of the faerie.” Dress up, dance, sing, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the picturesque park. Vendors, lots of live music, magic, and much more awaits!

6. Whiteaker Block Party

August 02, 2014
Whiteaker Neighborhood 3rd & Van Buren, Eugene, OR 97402
Enjoy this massively exciting block party that features local bands, a kids zone, street performers, beer gardens, raffles, food carts, art and craft vendors and a stunning fashion show, all in a single day at this unique, Bohemian neighborhood in Eugene!

7. Eugene Celebration – 2014

August 22, 2014 – August 24, 2014
Location: Downtown Eugene Broadway & Willamette St, Eugene, OR 97401
The Eugene Celebration performance line-up includes outdoor as well as indoor stage entertainment, running as late as 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights so that you can dance the day AND night away! Great food from local vendors, beer and wine gardens, cultural kiosks and crafts; plenty of activities for the entire family to enjoy.

8. Eugene Saturday Market

Saturdays May- November
Location: Downtown Park Blocks 8th & Oak St, Eugene, OR 97401
Since the 1970s, rain or shine, the Saturday Market has been a vibrant hub for local artisans. It is the longest running weekly open-air crafts festival in the United States! Nearly 200 booths feature locally handcrafted gifts, international foods and entertainment. An iconic Eugene event held outdoors April to November, and indoors November through December.

9. Go Cycling & Mountain Biking

Eugene has over 100 miles of dedicated bicycle lanes and paths, from city streets to riverbank trails. In fact, Eugene has more bridges for bicycles than for cars. Challenging single-track trails cut through lava fields and towering forests in the area of Oakridge, rated among the top mountain biking destinations in the country.

10. Take in the local Arts & Culture

From small community theaters to the expansive Hult Center for the Performing Arts, numerous
resident companies stage opera, ballet, choral, theater and symphonic productions. World-class music festivals include the Oregon Festival of American Music and the Grammy-award winning Oregon Bach Festival. Numerous art galleries host local and international artists showcased through exhibits and artwalks. From local history to space exploration, area museums are both educational and interactive. Sculptures and hand-painted murals can be found throughout city streets, parks and the University of Oregon campus. Springfield is home to some of the most expansive murals. Two campus museums offer one-of-a-kind artifacts. Discover the world’s oldest “running” shoes or artwork ranging from Paul Cézanne to Andy Warhol.

Article source: Eugene, Cascades & Coast