Every year more than 40,000 people crowd the streets of downtown Eugene to enjoy the festivities of the Eugene Celebration. Several downtown blocks are closed to traffic while musicians, food vendors and artists offer their wares to the community. The three day event was started in 1983 by Downtown Events Management, Inc(DEMI) “as a way to bring together members of the Eugene community for a weekend of music and festivities”. According to DEMI, the celebration works to bring the community's attention to local issues, especially those dealing with environmental responsibility, within the context of a weekend festival.
The Eugene Celebration often draws many of the Northwest's premiere musical groups, and this year featured groups such as Roots Underground, Bob Wehrman, Everlast, and Runaway Slave. Other attractions to the event include an expansive variety of food booths, a parade to announce the “Slug Queen” and yearly attractions such as the sustainability village and community causeway.