Eugene Weekly : 2008 Eugene Celebration : 9.11.08

 

Parade Extravaganza Returns
By Inka Bajandas

For the second year, the Eugene Celebration main parade is joined by two other parades — one where bicyclists join together for nighttime safety and another where pets stroll the streets.

The Bike Lights Parade returns as an official part of the Eugene Celebration. The parade of well-lit bicycles, which promotes safe biking at night, takes place Saturday night and raises money for bike safety education classes. Parade founder Bob Ransom started the parade last year while working for Lane Transit District as a kick-off event. The ride, which attracted around 150 people, coincided  with the Eugene Celebration and emphasized being safely lit at night. It was a fun way for Ransom to fulfill a grant to give out free bike lights to people who couldn’t afford them and to put together a night bike safety pamphlet. This year the Bike Lights folks have added prizes for top lit bikes; bicyclists who register with the parade are eligible. As well as nighttime safety, the parade is there to promote biking in general, says Ransom, and to “have a lot of fun and let our creative and artistic bike community go out to light up the night.” The Bike Lights Parade lines up at 8:15 pm Saturday, Sept. 13, on 8th Ave. between Charnelton St. and Olive St. and starts at 8:45 pm. Parade registration is $15, which includes a Celebration bracelet, or $6 for those who already have a bracelet. For more information about the Bike Lights Parade visit eugenegears.org

For those who don’t carry their dogs in a bike basket, Bearen’s Cheap Gas Fat-Free Double Fudge Pet Stroll takes place on Sunday morning at a new time of 11:30 am and is a fundraiser for the Bearen Foundation, which helps pay vet bills for local pet owners who can’t afford them.  Unlike past years there will be no prizes awarded for the best-dressed pets; the event will simply be all about the pet,s says Bearen Foundation founder Megan Bendtzen. “It’s their event,” she says.

The Pet Stroll starts at 8th Ave. and Oak St. at 11:30 am Sunday, Sept. 14. Pets are free, but each human needs to pony up a minimum donation of $5. For more information about the Pet Stroll, visit bearenfoundation.org.

 

Eugene Celebration 2008

It’s That Slime Again! New S.L.U.G. Queen wins in a close one

Event Junkies Volunteers put the Eugene in EC

Laugh, Cry, Be Inspired Film Festival at DIVA

Living La Vida Local A three-day whirlwind of music and food

PDX @ the EC Big city music on small town stages

Parade Extravaganza Returns

Celebrate Downtown at the EC Merchants anticipate excitement, if not more sales

Just for Kids

The Official Eugene Celebration Site Schedule, Map, Directions and more