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Free activities planned at Eugene 08 Festival
By Staff Reports
Thursday, June 26, 2008 | No comments posted.
Though virtually all the tickets for the U.S. Olympic Trials have been sold, organizers of the Eugene 08 Festival say there are plenty of free activities planned outside the gates of Hayward Field.
The trials begin on Friday and continue through Monday, then pick up again July 3-6. Activities are planned at the festival for all the days from Friday through the end of the trials.
The festival will be set up behind the west grandstand at Hayward Field on a pair of artificial turf fields that the University of Oregon uses for intramurals and other activities. The area will be called Track Town Plaza and include a stage, corporate tents and a large food court. In addition, jumbo screens will be set up so people can watch a simulcast of the action inside Hayward Field.
Each day, the festival will have a different theme, including:
Friday, June 27: 1980s Team Day — Many of the athletes from the last Olympic trials in Eugene, held in 1980, will return to mingle with fans and sign autographs. Among family activities are trivia questions and a showing of the documentary Fire on the Track, about late Marshfield great Steve Prefontaine. A walking tour to Pre's Rock, where the distance runner was killed in a car crash, will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, June 28: Beautiful Oregon — The state's beauty will be highlighted with video footage. Children will be able to create a miniature Oregon license plate and a walking tour to the university's library will start at 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, June 29: Great Track and Field Performances — The day will showcase spectacular performances from around the world, including video footage of a top 10 list of the greatest performances of all time. A walking tour to the Willamette River starts at 9:30 a.m.
Monday, June 30: Sports and the Environment — The city's efforts to be as climate friendly as possible will be highlighted. One of the activities will include people pedaling to generate battery power, while Nike will have a display on how it recycles running shoes for use in track surfaces. A walking tour to the pond in Alton Baker Park will start at 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, July 1: Youth Day — On the first day without competition, the festival will celebrate the contributions and future of youth in the sport. An all-comers meet for athletes ages 12 and under will be held, and participants will receive a free T-shirt from Nike while supplies last. The meet, presented by the Oregon Track Club, begins at 4:30 p.m., while sports clinics also are planned, starting at 5:30. Carl Lewis, Rafer Johnson and Bruce Jenner will be in attendance.
Wednesday, July 2: Community Day — To acknowledge people in need in the community, Food for Lane County will have bins at the entrances to the festival, encouraging visitors to donate food items. Meanwhile, inside Hayward Field, individuals 13 and older are invited to take part in an Olympic experience, participating in races at 100 meters, 400 meters and a jogger's mile. Free Nike T-shirts will be presented while supplies last.
Thursday, July 3: Sports Meets Art — The city of Eugene's motto is “World's Greatest City of the Arts & Outdoors.” That theme will be honored with sports-themed art on display throughout the festival. A walking tour of Autzen Stadium starts at 4:30 p.m.
Friday, July 4: Celebrate America Day — As the country celebrates Independence Day, the festival will focus on the American athletes who have had great performances throughout the years. The highlight will be a fireworks display just after the conclusion of the men’s 10,000 meters, the final event of the night. A walking tour of Pre’s Trail will begin at 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 5: Heritage Day — The heritage of track and field in Eugene, widely known as Track Town USA, will be showcased. A family highlight will be an ancient Olympics amazing facts race. A walking tour of the Willamette River starts at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, July 6: Send-off to Beijing — The final day of competition brings a celebration of the athletes who have qualified for the Olympics. After the final event, a short closing ceremony will be held, including a Chinese dragon procession around the track and into the festival. Family members will be encouraged to sign a good luck banner. A walking tour or the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art starts at 11:30 a.m.
The trials begin on Friday and continue through Monday, then pick up again July 3-6. Activities are planned at the festival for all the days from Friday through the end of the trials.
The festival will be set up behind the west grandstand at Hayward Field on a pair of artificial turf fields that the University of Oregon uses for intramurals and other activities. The area will be called Track Town Plaza and include a stage, corporate tents and a large food court. In addition, jumbo screens will be set up so people can watch a simulcast of the action inside Hayward Field.
Each day, the festival will have a different theme, including:
Friday, June 27: 1980s Team Day — Many of the athletes from the last Olympic trials in Eugene, held in 1980, will return to mingle with fans and sign autographs. Among family activities are trivia questions and a showing of the documentary Fire on the Track, about late Marshfield great Steve Prefontaine. A walking tour to Pre's Rock, where the distance runner was killed in a car crash, will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, June 28: Beautiful Oregon — The state's beauty will be highlighted with video footage. Children will be able to create a miniature Oregon license plate and a walking tour to the university's library will start at 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, June 29: Great Track and Field Performances — The day will showcase spectacular performances from around the world, including video footage of a top 10 list of the greatest performances of all time. A walking tour to the Willamette River starts at 9:30 a.m.
Monday, June 30: Sports and the Environment — The city's efforts to be as climate friendly as possible will be highlighted. One of the activities will include people pedaling to generate battery power, while Nike will have a display on how it recycles running shoes for use in track surfaces. A walking tour to the pond in Alton Baker Park will start at 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, July 1: Youth Day — On the first day without competition, the festival will celebrate the contributions and future of youth in the sport. An all-comers meet for athletes ages 12 and under will be held, and participants will receive a free T-shirt from Nike while supplies last. The meet, presented by the Oregon Track Club, begins at 4:30 p.m., while sports clinics also are planned, starting at 5:30. Carl Lewis, Rafer Johnson and Bruce Jenner will be in attendance.
Wednesday, July 2: Community Day — To acknowledge people in need in the community, Food for Lane County will have bins at the entrances to the festival, encouraging visitors to donate food items. Meanwhile, inside Hayward Field, individuals 13 and older are invited to take part in an Olympic experience, participating in races at 100 meters, 400 meters and a jogger's mile. Free Nike T-shirts will be presented while supplies last.
Thursday, July 3: Sports Meets Art — The city of Eugene's motto is “World's Greatest City of the Arts & Outdoors.” That theme will be honored with sports-themed art on display throughout the festival. A walking tour of Autzen Stadium starts at 4:30 p.m.
Friday, July 4: Celebrate America Day — As the country celebrates Independence Day, the festival will focus on the American athletes who have had great performances throughout the years. The highlight will be a fireworks display just after the conclusion of the men’s 10,000 meters, the final event of the night. A walking tour of Pre’s Trail will begin at 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 5: Heritage Day — The heritage of track and field in Eugene, widely known as Track Town USA, will be showcased. A family highlight will be an ancient Olympics amazing facts race. A walking tour of the Willamette River starts at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, July 6: Send-off to Beijing — The final day of competition brings a celebration of the athletes who have qualified for the Olympics. After the final event, a short closing ceremony will be held, including a Chinese dragon procession around the track and into the festival. Family members will be encouraged to sign a good luck banner. A walking tour or the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art starts at 11:30 a.m.
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