Rain didn’t stop the music at Owen Rose Garden, where folks still turned out for the first annual make music day on June 21st, celebrating and supporting local musicians.
EUGENE, Ore. — Rain did not stop the music at Owen Rose Garden, where folks still turned out for the first annual make music day on June 21, celebrating and supporting local musicians.
“As Oregonians, we put on our raincoats and goulashes and we still made it out to the park today to listen to some music and support this new event,” the Education and Community Engagement Director at Eugene Symphony, Katy Vizdal, said. “So I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how many people have come out in the rain today.”
The Eugene Symphony was able to host Eugene’s first annual Make Music Day thanks to funds from the City of Eugene Arts in the Park grant.
Eleven different musical groups played from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Each group had their own distinct sound that people were able to enjoy.
Owen Rose Garden was not the only place celebrating make music day, 5th Street Public Market, Eugene’s Saturday Market, the Neighborhood Music School and the Wildish Community Theatre all celebrated Make Music Day, as well as having musicians from all genres play music throughout the day.
Musicians performed at Owen Rose Garden outside in the rain, showing their passion despite the rain.
The rain did not bother organizers for the event, as they have put on music events in past years — rain or shine.
“For many years the symphony guild, which we are a part of, produced Music in the Garden every June about this time, and we were used to doing it rain or shine,” Sandra Weingarten, a member of the Eugene Symphony, said. “So this was said, ‘yes, rain or shine this is going to happen,’ and we’re pleased that people did turn out.”
Event-goers did not mind the rain either, as they still showed up to support local musicians despite the conditions.
“Well, I’m kind of used to it,” local resident Malcolm Stewart said. “I’m originally from Florida, and then as I moved here, it’s like Florida’s rain in a different way. Normally, it’s thunderstorms so you can’t come outside. And Eugene rain isn’t that bad, so it’s worth coming.”
The turnout for the event spoke to how important music is to the local community.
“I think that Eugene is a community that’s known for being a community of artists and musicians,” Vizdal said. “And so it’s something that is a source of community pride here.”
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