Eugene and Springfield are more than just livable towns--they are communities. The area's unique geography, economy and friendly people are just a few of the aspects that make the southern Willamette Valley an ideal place in which to work, live and play. To really find out how special our community is, you must visit the area--but until then, browse the topics below to learn a little about our exceptional towns.

ON THIS PAGE: Outdoor Recreation | Festivals, Events & Attractions | Arts & Culture

Outdoor Recreation Surfing, skiing, fishing or hiking--the Eugene/Springfield metro is a gateway to any outdoor activity you could dream of. An Oregon recreation guide, listing activities that explore all of Oregon's natural beauty, is available from Oregon.com. Like parks? Visit our city parks, state parks, national forests and national parks. University of Oregon Outdoor Program is open to all students, and for a small fee, community members. The program hosts all sorts of activities, from tree-climbing to screening films. City of Eugene Recreation offers all sorts of activities, classes, and community center events. back top Festivals, Events and Attractions Literally every weekend there is something happening--a festival, performance or exhibit. Listed below is only a small sampling of some of the areas most popular events. CELEBRATIONS AND FAIRS: Every September the entire City of Eugene comes out to celebrate at the Eugene Celebration. This uniquely Eugene experience includes music, art, food and parades. Held in several blocks of the downtown, this street-party has something to offer to everyone. Hosted at the lovely Island Park in Springfield, the Filbert Festival takes advantage of the beautiful August weather. The festival's namesake, the filbert nut (also known as the hazelnut)is was an important part of Springfield's early economy, and has become a delicious ingredient in local cuisine.The Oregon Country Fair is a blast from the past--indeed, this country fair was founded in 1969, and has preserved the spirit of that era. If you like tie-dyed shirts, organic food and all things "hippie", you should check out this one-of-a-kind event. The Lane County Fair is a traditional county fair, held in Eugene, which is the county seat. ART AND MUSIC: World-renowned classically trained musicians gather in Eugene each year at The Oregon Bach Festival, which celebrates the influences of Bach on American music. Other acoustic genres can be heard at the Oregon Festival of American Music, where talented and diverse artists perform their music. Art and the Vineyard is an annual festival held in lovely Alton Baker Park. Held during the fourth of July weekend, the festival celebrates local wines , foods and artisans. In keeping with the city's love of nature, visitors are encouraged to bicycle to the event, and take advantage of the "valet" bike parking. SPORTS: Are you a sports fan? Well, you've come to the right place. Eugene is known as "Track City" and is home to Hayward Field. As one of the nation's most recognized track and field venues, Hayward field host Olympic trials, NCAA championships, the Prefontaine classic and a multitude of other events. The University of Oregon in Eugene, and Oregon State University in Corvallis (45 miles northwest of Eugene) are both members of the NCAA, and have programs nationally recognized for their excellence. If you like NBA action, consider making the trip to Portland to watch the Blazers, or Seattle, to see the Sonics. If you are a baseball fan, visit the beautiful Safeco Field to watch the Mariners. ATTRACTIONS: As excellent, comprehensive Wine Guide to Oregon wineries, vineyards and breweries is provided by the Portland Oregonian. Every weekend in the Eugene the Saturday Market showcases local foods and wares. back top Arts and Cultural A few of the most popular cultural and art attractions are listed below. For an excellent list of happenings around the state, visit the Attractions page at Oregon.com. PERFORMANCE ARTS Hult Center for the Performing Arts McDonald Theatre Wow Hall Beall Concert Hall Very Little Theatre Lord Leebrick Theatre Company Willamette Repertory Theatre University Theatre VISUAL ARTS Jacobs Gallery Lane Arts Council Maude Kerns Art Center University of Oregon Museum of Arts CULTURE University of Oregon Museum of Natural History Science Factory and Planetarium Oregon Air & Space Museum Lane County Historical Museum Springfield Museum