After consulting the forecasts, satellite projections, and weather gurus, Eugene’s 150th Birthday Party will be moved inside to the Hult Center Lobby this Saturday. The new location will provide a dryer place for attendees to celebrate, enjoy cake and watch three live performances.
Music by the bands Family Dynamic and The Sugar Beets will start at about 1:10 p.m. Attendees will be also able to take a break from dancing to enjoy a performance of “You are There, the Founding of Eugene” by Fred Crafts’ Radio Redux. Fred Crafts and his actors, including Mayor Kitty Piercy, City Manager Jon Ruiz, and local radio personality Storm Kennedy will be back by popular demand for an encore performance of this highly entertaining, fact-based, but not entirely true story of Eugene’s early days. There will also be an opportunity to sing “Happy Birthday” and eat birthday cake.
The fun-filled celebration will kick-off at 11:30 a.m. with the interactive dedication of Eugene’s newest cultural icon, the Great Blue Heron sculpture at 13th Ave. and Alder Street. Everyone is invited to bring a flower to the dedication to welcome the Great Blue Heron. Marimba music by the band Zambuko and poetry readings will add to the festivities.
After the dedication, at about 12:30 p.m., participants are invited to walk or bike in a festive procession from the new sculpture to the Hult Center for the party (see procession map). Everyone is encouraged to decorate their bicycles or themselves for the special occasion.