There are events held year round at Alton Baker Park. From Eugene’s established, long running functions, to up and coming events, Alton Baker has enough room for everyone. Art and the Vineyard is a festival held in Eugene for the past 30 years, which showcases the works of local artists. The festival is complete with wine, concerts, and art, in a celebration of local culture, happening annually during July 4-6. Local artists and vineyards come to Alton Baker for three days to display their wares, with quite a few food carts tagging along too. Money raised from the festival helps support the Maude Kerns art center, a non-profit community art center that puts on the event.
Alton Baker also hosts the Great Rotary Duck Race in October, a Eugene tradition, held every year on the Willamette River. The event begins at 9 a.m. with a pancake fundraiser and children’s activities. At noon upwards of 60,000 plastic yellow ducks, previously purchased by participants, are released into the river, a mile upstream. They then float down to the finish line near Alton Baker Park, and great prizes, like a new car, are awarded for the first ducks to cross the finish line. All proceeds are distributed to local charities to prevent child abuse. Over the past 25 years, the Rotary Duck Race has raised more than $5 million for Lane County charities, which makes this event not only fun, but important as well. The event is put on by our local Lane County Rotary Clubs.
A less established, though still great event at Alton Baker is the Bite of Eugene food festival. Food vendors and carts from all over Lane County come to participate in this fun and tasty fest. The event is focused on sustainability, while celebrating Eugene’s unique culinary culture: casual, eclectic and affordable. It takes place in July, and costs only $5 for admission. With your admission you get free samples from the food booths, cooking classes, foodie seminars, concerts from resident musicians and a local “Iron Chef” style competition. Though only a few years old, this up and coming festival is one not to be missed!
The park is also host to some cultural festivals as well, notably the Japanese Obon and Taiko festival. Running for 20 plus years, the Japanese American Association of Lane County joins the city of Eugene in decorating Alton Baker with Japanese lanterns and other traditional Japanese decorations. The festival is based on the Festival of Lanterns, an ancient tradition in Japan, dedicated to honoring one’s ancestors. This festival marks, both in Japan and Eugene, a time for families and friends to come together for dancing and celebration. Make a point to experience this amazing and unique festival first hand and discover a fascinating and beautiful exposition of Japanese cultural tradition. Best of all, admission is free!
In late September the park is home to a several races, one known as the 10 miler the other other Dirty Duck 5k.
The 10 Miler
Is, as you might expect, a 10 mile run through Alton Baker. The event also hosts a 5K run and walk, for those who don’t wish to test the limits of their physical endurance. Everyone able to finish the race in less than 60 minutes is given a commemorative fleece pullover, and the top finishers even receive prize money. Registration is required, so if you want to participate in the race make sure you sign up early and get your numbers. For more information on the registration fees, and more information about the race make sure to check the 10 milers website.
The Dirty Duck 5k
Start the fun as fast or as slow as you want. Run, walk, or waddle through our course and soft-core stations—experience it all at The Dirty Duck. Don’t be surprised if at ANY point along the course you are suddenly smattered or doused with green and yellow color bombs or showered with furry feathers. It’s been known to be a little dirty and just a bit murky (hint hint) on The Dirty Duck trail so be sure to dress appropriately. WHITE SHIRTS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
