The fertile soils and lush vegetation of the Willamette Valley create the setting for Eugene and its sister city, Springfield. These two cities form the heart of the state's second largest metropolitan center, with a total population of about 200,000. Located at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers, Eugene is know for its beauty and cultural vitality. The valley enjoys moderate winters and pleasant summers. It rains about forty inches a year--the same as in Boston, New York or Philadelphia.
Cultural events in Eugene provide entertainment by internationally renowned artists. The Oregon Bach Festival is an annual festival of classical music held during June and July at the UO and at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts. The facility is also used by a wide variety of visiting musical and drama groups as well as by the resident companies of the Eugene Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ballet, Eugene Concert Choir, Dance Theatre of Oregon, Oregon Mozart Players, Eugene Opera, and Oregon Festival of American Music. The university offers first-class musical and theatrical events, and it sponsors films, art shows, and lectures throughout the year. Fine arts are displayed at the UO Museum of Art, famed for its Asian collection, and at more than a dozen galleries.
Among the attractions of downtown Eugene are the Fifth Street Public Market with its many boutiques and shops; the pedestrian mall; and the Saturday Market, an open-air extravaganza of crafts, food, and entertainment, occurring each weekend, April through the winter holidays.
The Oregon Country Fair--an annual celebration of art, entertainment, counterculture, and alternative energy--takes place just outside of Eugene. The Willamette Valley Folk Festival, held on campus, brings musicians from Eugene's vibrant folk music scene, as well as international folk musicians, outdoors for a community party each spring.
The enthusiasm for track and field at the University of Oregon has permeated the region. It is a runner's and bicyclist's paradise, with 150 miles of jogging and cycling paths, many along the Willamette River. The Mount Pisgah Arboretum and Eugene's Ridgeline Trail provide places to hike, both in forested areas and in open with views of the valley and mountains.
