What's new at the 25th Annual Eugene Celebration
DOWNTOWN EUGENE - The 25th Annual Eugene Celebration is in full swing tonight in downtown and this milestone anniversary is just the beginning of some changes.
Crowds, Music, and those familiar faces who show their hometown loyalty year after year are all part of this special day. "I wouldn't miss the parade for anything!" says one spectator. "You get people who put on their alter-ego clothes and make silliness of themselves and what could be more fun than that?" adds James "Izzie" Le Roy.
The Eugene Celebration never fails to entertain but event coordinator Leona Laurie says 25 years in the making has called for some changes. "Changes are part of evolving with the audience," she says. "We want to make it worth coming back for the second or third or 76th time."
One of the biggest changes is the size of the celebration. In years past it's extended out to the Fifth Street Market but this year the festivities have been condensed and are limited to the blocks between Charnelton and Willamette to 8th street up to 10th. "It does seem a little more compact," says one Eugene resident. "It does have a bit more of a community feel to it."
The three day party also kicked off two weeks earlier than usual. Organizers say this is to ensure good weather and to avoid home football games at Autzen Stadium. "The city's resources were really strained during the football game and people needed security and parking at two major locations," says Laurie.
Other than this years revamps, organizers say come Monday, they'll start working on what will be new when the celebration hits the streets next year.
Crowds, Music, and those familiar faces who show their hometown loyalty year after year are all part of this special day. "I wouldn't miss the parade for anything!" says one spectator. "You get people who put on their alter-ego clothes and make silliness of themselves and what could be more fun than that?" adds James "Izzie" Le Roy.
The Eugene Celebration never fails to entertain but event coordinator Leona Laurie says 25 years in the making has called for some changes. "Changes are part of evolving with the audience," she says. "We want to make it worth coming back for the second or third or 76th time."
One of the biggest changes is the size of the celebration. In years past it's extended out to the Fifth Street Market but this year the festivities have been condensed and are limited to the blocks between Charnelton and Willamette to 8th street up to 10th. "It does seem a little more compact," says one Eugene resident. "It does have a bit more of a community feel to it."
The three day party also kicked off two weeks earlier than usual. Organizers say this is to ensure good weather and to avoid home football games at Autzen Stadium. "The city's resources were really strained during the football game and people needed security and parking at two major locations," says Laurie.
Other than this years revamps, organizers say come Monday, they'll start working on what will be new when the celebration hits the streets next year.
