QuickTake:

With rain in the forecast, Block Party organizers say that unless it is unsafe to do so, the party will go on.

Thousands of people are expected to visit downtown Springfield this Saturday, Sept. 12, for the seventh annual Block Party.

The free event from 4 to 10 p.m. will feature live music, booths, food vendors and activities spanning 12 blocks on Main Street. Herencia Hispana, a Hispanic heritage celebration with music and dancing, will take place at the same time outside Springfield City Hall, 225 N. Fifth St.

Downtown street closures will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, with Main Street closing at about 10:30 a.m., city spokesperson Elyse Ditzel said in an email to Lookout Eugene-Springfield. Streets will reopen as event traffic clears, with all streets expected to be open by midnight, she said. 

Affected streets will include portions of Main Street, A Street, B Street and streets between Pioneer Parkway East and Eighth Street, Ditzel said. Westbound traffic will be detoured from 10th Street to E Street to Pioneer Parkway West, but trucks should use 14th Street.

Block Party organizers encourage attendees to take the bus to the Springfield Station on South A Street using a free code (LTD-Q959-4ZNI) from Lane Transit District. There are also LTD Park & Ride lots in Springfield, where drivers can park for free and ride the bus downtown. 

The Block Party will have free valet bike parking on A Street across from Public House, sponsored by Shift Community Cycles. Attendees can also use the PeaceHealth Rides bike share program and park at a hub near the party.

Rain or shine 

With rain in the forecast for Saturday, Block Party organizer Benjamin Wilkinson said in an email to Lookout, “The enthusiasm of gathering in the street can’t be matched by weather, and, unless it is unsafe to do so, we’ll be proceeding with our 7th annual event.”

“We have always said that the Block Party is rain or shine,” he said.

Wilkinson said organizers are working with contract vendors to provide tenting for stages and karaoke and game-show activities. He also said they’ll adjust the location of the event’s mechanical bull to be out of the rain, “and, if and where possible, we’ll relocate any children’s activities we can to accommodate the weather,” he said.

“Any activities that we feel are not safe in the rain will be delayed or canceled,” Wilkinson added.