17-year-old accordion prodigy, boat parade, First Friday art walk, Christmas in July run, and more. 
Happy Fourth of July, Eugene. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Eugene Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead:
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Accordion prodigy 🎶
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Holiday fun run 🎅
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Boat parade 🛥️
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
Grocery-store tiger cakes: You can now pick up a life-like tiger-shaped cake at Market of Choice’s Willamette Street bakery in Eugene, where award-winning decorator Lisa Dowling crafts boutique-level creations in buttercream detail — find out where to grab one.
Local accordion prodigy shines: The 17-year-old accordionist from Eugene has already captivated audiences from international competitions to NPR’s “From the Top,” and just secured a Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award — read her story
Compare rates for free: The average driver pays $175 a month on car insurance, but most of us are paying way too much. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us” — this comparison tool can save you hundreds.
Highlights this week
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Legislators cut eviction prevention funding
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Oregon teen earns a cornhole scholarship
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Overstock Store is hosting $6 Fridays
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Catholic Services is running a hygiene drive
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Get a free tour of the Owen Rose Garden
🫶 We got your back
Crunch time: When your stomach starts growling for something crispy, herby, and downright irresistible, Albee’s N.Y. Gyros whips up golden falafel that’ll have you reaching for extra tahini—and maybe a second pita—faster than you can say “chickpea bliss.”
Frankly fantastical franks: When you need a quick bite that packs a punch, Sling‑in Wiener is the reigning champ of mustard, relish, and risk-it-all topping combos. Think loaded chili-cheese dogs with a dash of sriracha and pickled jalapeños—because sometimes comfort food needs a kick.
Tune in, power up: When you need a PC that churns through renders like a boss, keyboards that feel like an extension of your fingertips, or speakers that make your playlists thump, Affordable Computers is the secret weapon for every tech obsession.
Energy efficiency on a budget: New windows and doors may not seem glamorous, but they can deliver real savings — windows can reduce utility bills by 7-15% and doors by up to 35%. To sweeten the savings, Renewal by Andersen is offering $400 off per window and $850 off per door right now.
👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?
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📆 Eugene happenings
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🎨 First Friday ArtWalk with Ame Beard @ Wilkins Coffee | Friday (7/4) at 5 pm – Step into “Ethereal,” Ame Beard’s LED-reactive art show where light and shadow play hide-and-seek across 3D glass paintings. Tiny details emerge and vanish with every flicker, challenging you to savor each moment. Sip on complimentary Royal Velvet Blueberry Lemonade as you chat with the artist herself. This exclusive preview runs all July—don’t miss the unveiling.
🚤 5th Annual Flag Boat Parade @ Harrisburg Riverfront | Friday (7/4) at 8 pm – Jet boats decked out in red, white, and blue will cruise past the Harrisburg riverfront in a star-spangled parade you can catch from shore. No registration needed—just stage at Marshall Island or McCartney Park ramp and join the patriotic flotilla. Then stick around for live music and tasty bites before the fireworks light up the night.
🎸 Zephyr Love USA Summer Tour ’25 @ John Henry’s | Friday (7/4) at 9 pm – Retro rock revives as Zephyr Love strips back to its founding three-piece lineup for raw riffs and new jams. Local favorites Re/folium and The Unbranded join the bill for a hometown takeover. Dust off your air guitar and prepare for a night of unfiltered rock ’n’ roll. This one’s for the purists.
This weekend
🖼️ Reduction Linocut Prints by Connie Mueller @ White Lotus Gallery | Saturday (7/5) at 10 am – Dive into Connie Mueller’s breathtaking linocut landscapes that capture Oregon’s wild heart, from stormy skies to shimmering rivers. This exhibit’s seven-week run is your chance to marvel at reduction linocut done right—no two pieces alike, and every layer carved with love. Arrive early to snag the opening-day buzz and maybe chat with the artist herself!
🌹 Owen Rose Garden Heritage Rose Tours @ Owen Rose Garden | Saturday (7/5) at 10 am – Stroll through thousands of heirloom roses with a docent as your personal rose whisperer. Learn the juicy backstories behind each bloom, from Victorian favorites to wild Pacific Northwest imports. No RSVP, no cost—just you, Mother Nature, and some seriously impressive petals.
🐾 3rd Annual Pet & Costume Parade @ Harrisburg Riverfront | Saturday (7/5) at 11 am – Dress your furball in red, white, and blue and join the cutest parade this side of the riverfront (no registration needed). Check in at 10:30 am for a quick judging round before the 11 am march, with ice-cold water for both two-legged and four-legged participants. It’s free, festive, and guaranteed to be a tail-wagging good time—weather permitting, of course!
📜 Footnotes on the Butte @ Shelton McMurphy Johnson House | Saturday (7/5) at 1 pm – Trace the untold stories of Oregon’s first Black homesteader, Letitia Carson, through this moving traveling exhibit. Housed in a historic Eugene landmark, the panels weave law, resilience, and legacy into a narrative you’ll carry home. History buffs and everyone who loves a good under-dog tale, this one’s for you.
🍷 Paint & Sip: “Cannon Beach” @ Art With Alejandro | Saturday (7/5)) at 6:30 pm – Channel your inner Van Gogh (minus the ear drama) as you paint Oregon’s iconic Cannon Beach scene—wine glass in hand. Alejandro’s step-by-step guidance makes sure your masterpiece looks more “wow!” than “uh-oh.” BYOB and let the coast-inspired creativity flow.
🎅 Christmas in July 5K/10K/Half Marathon @ Kiwanis Park | Sunday (7/6) at 8 am – Santa’s on VACAY, but the swag’s still on! Hit the flat river trail for your choice of 5K, 10K, or half marathon and snag Santa-approved shirts & medals. Early birds by 6/30 lock in your gear; late registrants still sleigh it—literally—through 7/5. Don your ugliest Christmas sweater and pretend it’s December all over again.
🛍️ Free Outdoor Market @ Sweet Tooth Glassworks | Sunday (7/6) at 12 pm – In its third year, the Sunday Market at Sweet Tooth Glassworks brings together a safe, creative community space filled with local, handmade goods at wallet-friendly prices. It’s free to browse and even free to vend—just roll up with your pop-up tent and treasures. Grab your crew, shop unique finds, and support Eugene makers under the summer sun.
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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7/4 Artistic Encounters w/ Forest Mountain Lion @ Kesey Square – 12 pm
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7/4 Jackie Jae & Jason Cowsill @ Oakshire Brewing Public House – 6 pm
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7/4 Zephyr Love USA Summer Tour ’25 @ John Henry’s – 9 pm
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7/5 Drag Bingo @ The Sparrow & Serpent Pub – 5 pm
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7/5 Outlandish D’Amour @ Drop Bear Brewery – 7 pm
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7/5 Steph Kay @ Beergarden – 7:30 pm
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7/6 Sam Bond’s Irish Jam @ Sam Bond’s Garage – 4 pm
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7/6 Whiskey Rogues @ The Pint Pot Public House – 6 pm
🏠️ Price Is Right – Eugene edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Listed by: Jamie Paddock (Elite Realty Professionals
Granite-clad kitchen rubs shoulders with open living space, while two cozy gas fireplaces stage dramatic performances in refined indoor galleries. Fresh paint spans 4,589 sqft, with panoramic views sneaking in through sunlit windows and elevated sunset vistas that make dinner feel like a show.
Five bedrooms, including a primary suite with private sitting room, stretch across 0.33 acres, plus a bonus room primed for movie marathons or art exploits. Oversized 3-car garage devours clutter and hobby gear, all a hop from neighborhood trails and parks.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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