As we approach the 4th of July holiday weekend, we’re looking into where you can celebrate in Lane County.
Friday morning, we saddled up for the kick-off of the Eugene Pro Rodeo, which is prepping for a weekend full of events.
“Fourth of July, this is cowboy Christmas - this is the best time for having rodeos and the weather in Eugene is going to be gorgeous,” says rodeo clown Brinson James.
The rodeo is celebrating its 31st year and kicks off Friday night.
“There’s a lot of great cowboys coming out here from all over, from Canada coming to Eugene, to put on a good show. It’s a stacked event.”
It’s a four-day event filled with food, dancing, and fireworks. But this weekend has a deeper meaning.
Saturday night’s theme is “Tough enough to wear pink.”
“That one is near and dear to my heart,” explains rodeo director Jaymie Defoe Hansen. “I lost my mom 17 years ago to breast cancer.”
100% of the proceeds from Saturday will go to the Oregon Cancer Foundation.
She suggests pre-purchasing tickets online, but you can also buy them at the gate.
The rodeo is not the only spot to celebrate this weekend.
Sunday, fireworks will light up the sky over PK Park after the Emeralds baseball game.
On Monday, gates open at 4 p.m. for the Light of Liberty celebration in Springfield.
Eugenians can hit the ground running for the Butte to Butte race Monday morning.
And parades will take over the streets in Creswell, Harrisburg, and the Gilham neighborhood.