Oregon’s second-largest city, Eugene (population 160,000), has an esteemed reputation for progressive politics and acceptance of gays and lesbians, as it is home to the University of Oregon and a hotbed of counterculture, environmental awareness, enthusiasm. outdoors and education. . Along with its considerably more conservative twin city of Springfield, the metropolitan region has around 360,000 residents, which partly explains the popularity and relatively high turnout of the region’s Pride celebration each year, the Eugene / Springfield Pride Festival, which takes place every August.
This year’s date is August 11, 2018, several weeks after the state’s largest celebration, Pride Northwest, which takes place in beautiful Portland, about a two-hour drive north.
Eugene Gay Pride Celebration Details
Eugene’s Gay Pride celebration takes place in lush Alton Baker Park, a 400-acre stretch of greenery on the north bank of the Willamette River, which divides the city. It comprises a festival on Saturday, August 11, which lasts from noon to 6 in the afternoon. Features include live entertainment from a variety of local and national artists, a cluster of community vendors (businesses and organizations), a beer garden, a children’s space, and food. Although the event is free, a $ 5 donation is suggested.
Travel planning tips
Eugene’s many popular and gay-friendly bars and restaurants tend to draw large crowds at this time. Check out regional gay media, such as PQ Monthly, Portland’s GLBT newspaper, as well as progressive alternative weekly, Eugene Weekly, and the University of Oregon LGBT resource site, for more information on the region’s gay scene.
Also take a look at the excellent LGBT travel section of the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Tourist Office website for helpful information.
