Verdict - nope, finish “festival” not so fun! I mean it was fine if your idea of a good time is a half banana and some water and lots of sweaty people. Definitely a kindly, supportive atmosphere, but nothing much for spectators. It’s funny, with so many people registered and running, you’d think even the ice cream place would be open? Or the chocolate place in the market area, if not any booths or tables. Very weird. Was anything else going on in town today?
Eugene really doesn’t do much in the way of 4th of July, I’ve found. There is the Ems fireworks after the game tonight, but I think things generally are pretty chill and they leave people to go to surrounding communities for parades and festivities.
I also feel it’s such a missed opportunity for ice cream to not be open early because my kids and I would definitely have gotten some. We all did the 5k and the post race snack tables are pretty shameful for the size race it is IMHO.
Yeah, it’s kind of a letdown regarding overall Eugene 4th of July celebrations, but I’m coming to terms with it. Pre-pandemic there was a paid wine thing down in Alton Baker that I never went to, but the fireworks were for people who paid to get it and it wasn’t a city run thing. Coming from the midwest where that’s like all the city government does really.
Also, just a note on the expectations of the race, those post race things are really for the runners and anyone who says they are a “festival” just putting a positive spin on it. No one is there except for runners and a few spectators/families. There are precious few races that attract enough spectators to really make it “a thing” outside the race crowds.
Verdict - nope, finish “festival” not so fun! I mean it was fine if your idea of a good time is a half banana and some water and lots of sweaty people. Definitely a kindly, supportive atmosphere, but nothing much for spectators. It’s funny, with so many people registered and running, you’d think even the ice cream place would be open? Or the chocolate place in the market area, if not any booths or tables. Very weird. Was anything else going on in town today?
Eugene really doesn’t do much in the way of 4th of July, I’ve found. There is the Ems fireworks after the game tonight, but I think things generally are pretty chill and they leave people to go to surrounding communities for parades and festivities.
I also feel it’s such a missed opportunity for ice cream to not be open early because my kids and I would definitely have gotten some. We all did the 5k and the post race snack tables are pretty shameful for the size race it is IMHO.
Yeah I didn’t want to sound ungrateful but I think I’m definitely spoiled with way more swag and goodies at events like this
Yeah, it’s kind of a letdown regarding overall Eugene 4th of July celebrations, but I’m coming to terms with it. Pre-pandemic there was a paid wine thing down in Alton Baker that I never went to, but the fireworks were for people who paid to get it and it wasn’t a city run thing. Coming from the midwest where that’s like all the city government does really.
Also, just a note on the expectations of the race, those post race things are really for the runners and anyone who says they are a “festival” just putting a positive spin on it. No one is there except for runners and a few spectators/families. There are precious few races that attract enough spectators to really make it “a thing” outside the race crowds.