In honor of the region’s artful and eccentric spirit, the City of Eugene’s pageant of the Society for the Legitimization of the Ubiquitous Gastropod is this weekend so don’t miss witnessing the competition to crown the newest “raining” SLUG Queen. Representing the unofficial yet widely recognized goodwill ambassador, the SLUG Queen competition has been one of Eugene’s unique treasures for over 40 years. Other highlights this week include the Oregon Festival of American Music hosted by the Shedd Institute, and the annual Junction City Scandinavian Festival. Join in these wondrous festivities of our community!
Top Events This Week:
August 12 – August 22
“Beyond the Sea” Oregon Festival of American Music Crosscurrents & Convergences | The 35th annual Oregon Festival of American Music will showcase an array of concerts centering on the interconnectivity of how other cultures of music have impacted North American tradition. | Times Vary | John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts | theshedd.org
August 13
Maurie Jacobs Park Run | Oregon Track Club presents a 5k community race embodying the “Spirit of the Bowerman Mile.” | 6:30 pm | Maurie Jacobs Park
August 13 – August 16
Scandinavian Festival | Celebrating Danish, Swedish, Finnish, and Norwegian heritage, Junction City presents a four day festival with each day celebrating a different country. The event includes traditional foods, music, and artisanal vendors. There will be viking craft workshops and cultural education throughout the festival. | Thursday – Saturday, 10 am – 10 pm; Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm | Junction City, OR
“Bye Bye Birdie” | Presented by the Non-Stop Players, this musical comedy celebrates 1950s nostalgia through the story of a small-town, teenage romance. | Times Vary | Actors Cabaret of Eugene | actorscabaret.org
August 13 – August 23
“I Hate Hamlet!” at the Cottage Theater | This fast-paced comedy explores the story of an actor trying to play the titular Shakespearean character Hamlet all while being coached by the ghost of John Barrymore. | Times Vary | Cottage Theater | cottagetheatre.org
August 14
2026 Slug Queen Competition & Coronation | The SLUG Queen has been the unofficial ambassador for the city of Eugene for over 40 years. Old Queens and celebrity judges will vote for and crown the 2026 SLUG Queen in this event of dancing, singing, slime, and laughter. | 6 – 8:30 pm | Saturday Market Stage
August 14 – August 16
Emeralds Baseball Game | Eugene Emeralds vs Hillsboro Hops | Times Vary | PK Park | milb.com/eugene
August 15
Junction City Scandia Run | The Scandia Run is a fast, flat 5K or 10K race. The run weaves through the outskirts of the city and through the Willamette Valley farmlands. | Times Vary | Junction City, OR | scandiarun.com
August 15 – August 23
Shakespeare in the Park: “The Winter’s Tale” | Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets for an outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale.” This is a family friendly event. | Weekly Saturdays and Sundays 6 – 8:15 pm | Amazon Community Center’s Outdoor South Lawn Amphitheater and Park
August 18 – August 23
Emeralds Baseball Game | Eugene Emeralds vs Vancouver Canadians Baseball | Times Vary | PK Park | milb.com/eugene
Recurring Events:
August 14
Second Friday ArtWalk in Springfield | Pick up a map at any participating locations to take a guided or self-guided tour of downtown Springfield’s local art, music, and dance. Stops usually include Emerald Art Center, Springfield’s City Hall Gallery, Springfield History Museum, and others. | 5 pm – 7:30 pm | Emerald Art Center, Springfield | emeraldartcenter.org/second-friday
LTD Performances at the Plaza | Join LTD’s summer concert series. There is live music and treats for this family-friendly event. | Free | 2 pm – 5 pm | LTD Eugene Station
August 15
Lane County’s Farmers Market | Providing locally grown foods from over 100 farmers and food artisans, it is the largest farmers market in Eugene. EBT/SNAP users are welcome with the opportunity for a $20 Double Up Food Buck match at every market! | Free | 9 am – 2 pm | Farmers Market Pavilion at 8th Ave & Oak St | lanecountyfarmersmarket.org
Eugene Saturday Market | Coinciding with the Lane County Farmers Market, the Saturday Market showcases over 250 local artisans selling handcrafted goods with an assortment of food and music. Celebrating its 57th season, it is the oldest weekly open-air crafts festival in the U.S. | Free | 10 am – 4 pm | Farmers Market Pavilion at 8th Ave & Oak St | eugenesaturdaymarket.org
August 16
Springfield Sunday Market | Every Sunday, find local farmers, food producers, artisans, and community organizations at the new Springfield Sunday Market. Support the Springfield community by shopping locally to sustain regional agriculture and small businesses. From now through October. | 9 am – 2pm | Library Parking Lot at Springfield City Hall | springfield-or.gov/springfield-farmers-market-opens-june-7
Whiteaker Community Market | Open every Sunday, the Whiteaker Community Market is a neighborhood farmer and arts market showcasing the community of the Whiteaker area. | 10 am – 3 pm | Scobert Park | whiteakercommunitymarket.com
August 18
Lane County’s Tuesday Market | Providing locally grown foods from over 100 farmers and food artisans, it is the largest farmers market in Eugene. EBT/SNAP users are welcome with the opportunity for a $20 Double Up Food Buck match at every market! | Free | 9 am – 2 pm | Farmers Market Pavilion at 8th Ave & Oak St | lanecountyfarmersmarket.org
