QuickTake:

Enjoy an abundance of cultural festivals, markets, diverse foods and libations in Lane County this month.

As the weather heats up, so too are Lane County’s cultural and food-centered markets and festivals. 

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month, and the Eugene-Springfield area is hosting events to celebrate. It’s also Oregon Wine Month, so be sure to visit your favorite vineyard or winery in Lane County. 

Check out Lookout’s running list of fun, grub-and-sip-centered events in May, organized by city and date:

Eugene

To go box of food showing a variety of vegan foods.
A variety of vegan foods, such as this plate of food from B Heavenly, will be available for purchase at Eugene VeganFest. Credit: Compassionate Living

Eugene VeganFest
Lane Events Center, 796 W. 13th Ave., Eugene
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3

The Eugene VeganFest is for “pre-vegans, dabblers, hard-cores, and even heck-no-I-could-never-be-vegans.” The annual event celebrates plant-based eating with dozens of food and artisan vendors and speakers. Check out the food court, including Viva! Vegetarian, B Heavenly, The Taste of India and High Street Tonics, for vegan bites and sips. Learn more and buy tickets online. 

MargaritaFest at Beergarden
Beergarden, 777 W. Sixth Ave., Eugene
April 30 to May 5

Watermelon basil, strawberry peach and spicy passionfruit are just a few specialty margaritas being offered at this year’s MargaritaFest. For brews, Beergarden is also serving Mexican lagers and other craft beer styles. Six food carts are serving tacos, taquitos and Mexican street corn salad. Catch live music in the evening. Kids are welcome before 10 p.m., and dogs are allowed in the garden area. More information is online. 

Asian Night Market
Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza, 85 E. Eighth Ave., Eugene
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 22

The Asian American Council of Oregon is hosting its fifth annual Asian Night Market in downtown Eugene. This free event will feature cultural performances, Asian street foods, activities for kids and a lively marketplace. More information is online.

Eugene Scottish Festival
Irving Grange, 1011 Irvington Drive, Eugene
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 30

The Eugene Scottish Festival is your chance to try haggis, bangers, Scotch eggs and other classic Scottish fare. Located in the Santa Clara neighborhood, the festival highlights Celtic heritage through bagpipe performances, Irish and Scottish bands, Highland dancers and games and live herding demos with sheepdogs.

Dog lovers are encouraged to dress their pup in Scottish attire for the festival’s Dog Parade. Her Highness Queen Mary of Scots will preside over the day’s festivities. Shop the Artisan Market for handcrafted jewelry and traditional Scottish clothes and textiles. More information is online. 

different teas on display
The Eugene Tea Festival is a place to sample a variety of teas and buy tea and tea-related products such as serving ware and art. Credit: Blake Robertshaw / Eugene Tea Festival

Eugene Tea Festival
Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza, 85 E. Eighth Ave., Eugene 
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 31

Tea lovers rejoice: The annual Tea Festival returns for its fourth year. This year, the event is free to attend, with compostable cups provided at registration. You can also buy a commemorative tasting cup for $10. Enjoy sampling a variety of teas and explore the marketplace, featuring local artists and specialty tea vendors. Bring your own shopping bag, as they won’t be provided.

No formal workshops will be held this year, but you can participate in interactive tea circles throughout the day. ADA parking is available, with 21 reserved spaces and a parking crew onsite to assist. The Eugene Tea Festival is a nonprofit event dedicated to fostering community and tea education. Grab a free ticket online, and learn more about the festival on the nonprofit’s new website.

Springfield

Fourth Annual Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration
Guy Lee Elementary, 755 Harlow Road, Springfield
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 8

Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island food, arts and heritage right in Springfield. This free, family-friendly event will feature cultural performances from local artists and dance groups, food truck fare and hands-on activities for kids and families, including Hawaiian lei making, calligraphy and henna. More information is online.

horses in a parade
The Rhododendron Festival will be held May 14 to 17 this year. Credit: Courtesy of Florence Chamber of Commerce

Florence

Rhododendron Festival
All over Florence
May 14-17

From floral parades and arts festivals to carnival rides and classic car shows, the 119th annual Rhododendron Festival has something for everyone. Enjoy the Old Town Vendor Fair and the carnival throughout the weekend.

Florence boasts plenty of restaurants, breweries and coffee shops, and the festival itself will host a chicken barbecue and bake sale. Don’t miss the festival highlight, the Grand Floral Parade, on May 17. More information, including a full schedule and parking and shuttle info, is online. 

Want to add a festival or market? Email food correspondent Taylor Goebel at taylor@lookoutlocal.com.

Taylor Goebel covers Lane County's food and drink scene. She has nearly a decade of experience in multimedia journalism, having reported across the Mid-Atlantic on dining, food systems, education, healthcare, local elections, labor and business. She was most recently a food reporter in Washington state, where she documented a fourth-generation fishing family, covered a David vs. Goliath conflict between a national coffee chain and a small Turkish cafe, and had many culinary firsts, from ensaymadas and gilgeori (Korean street) toast to morels and black cod.