In a world where the news cycles are constantly updated with stressful headlines and responsibilities are crushing, students may be searching for a creative outlet to express their frustrations and sentiments. Collage and scrapbooking have emerged as new hobbies among college students. Young people have recently been collecting items and repurposing them into art through these mediums, creating mementos of their own memories and showcasing the world around them on paper.

This trend marks an important sentiment for Gen Z — that anything can be repurposed instead of participating in consumerism. People can collage anywhere, from their journal to their Instagram story. The flexible nature of collaging provides students with the ability to be creative anywhere and everywhere, using found items both online and in the real world.

These mediums can be used to celebrate cherished memories, express frustrations with society or whatever the individual wants it to be. With no prior talent required and inexpensive materials, these art forms are on the rise for a reason.

Bella Moon, a Eugene local working at Sephora, uses scrapbooking to commemorate important experiences to her in a physical way and to connect with her friends. She has made a few scrapbook spreads with pictures of her and her friends during crucial moments, like their birthdays or her first month in Eugene living with her boyfriend.

“I’ve always been really into art,” Moon said. “Scrapbooking is great because I can make these art pieces of my important memories that I’ll have forever. It’s a great way to express myself, too.”

Moon also held a scrapbooking party last month. Moon said the party was a great way for her to connect with her friends on a deeper level and to share their important life moments through art.

“I bought a ton of supplies and wanted to share them,” Moon said. “It’s great for bond building — we all got together and shared some of our favorite memories.”

Moon hopes to continue scrapbooking for a long time and is always searching for new ways to get creative with the medium. Her story exemplifies how scrapbooking can be sentimental and a great outlet for making memories last forever.

Sarah Wallace, a third-year UO student majoring in multidisciplinary sciences, shares this love of collaging. She started pursuing art when she was a kid and has never stopped.

Wallace takes a more interpretative approach to collaging, using it to express themes and sentiments she finds in the world around her. She creates both digital and physical collages. For the digital collages, she finds images that she loves on Pinterest and in her camera roll and mixes them around until she comes up with something she likes.

Wallace said that digital collage was a great way for her to avoid doom scrolling, and allowed her to feel creative on her phone instead of being unproductive.

For the physical collage, Wallace uses a variety of found materials. She thrifts old magazines and canvases, repurposing them into something new. She also uses stamps, stickers and little pieces of paper she collects throughout the day. The idea of repurposing old things and avoiding consumerism is important to Wallace.

A lot of Wallace’s collages are centered around the dichotomy between innocence and adult themes. She likes to use collage as a medium to express social commentary, such as the role of women in society and how sexualization can be harmful.

“Collage is a way to express myself creatively,” Wallace said. “In my major, it can be hard to express myself in that way because science is so rigid and disciplined. Collaging allows me to set some time aside from all of the work, to sit down and express myself in a creative way, with no deadlines or boundaries.”

Wallace says her multidisciplinary science major is rigid and disciplined. She loves to use art to express her feelings about the world around her. She uses collage as a medium to relax, while expressing her ideas in a visual way that is beautiful to her.

Scrapbooking can be anything you want it to be. It can represent your cherished memories, or have a deeper message about the world. Materials can be found anywhere, from the thrift store to your own camera roll. For students looking to express themselves beyond words, look no further than scrapbook and collage.

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Free snacks, vibrant performances and an inflatable raft? On Thursday, Feb. 27, the Outdoor Program barn lit up with talented performers and excited crowd members as the UO Student Activities Board held their monthly Open Mic Night.

Students filled the unconventional space for a concert with buzzing excitement as bikes, kayaks and other outdoor equipment hung on the walls around them. The Outdoor Program generously lent their barn to SAB to hold their open mic night, in exchange for a quick plug at the beginning of the show about everything the Outdoor Program has to offer. The Outdoor Program also lent its inflatable raft for audience members to sit on during the show.

In the back, members of SAB provided students with popcorn, Nutter Butters and other snacks. They also had lots of drinks available, which was a welcome addition to the already interesting event.

UO senior Julian Sneed brought the energy as he sang “Into the Unknown” from Disney’s “Frozen,” and “Hellfire” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Sneed’s excellent voice echoed through the room as the crowd cheered with excitement.

“Everyone has a good time with Disney songs. Everyone knows them,” Sneed said.

Sneed, a humanities major, started singing when he was 13. He started attending the SAB Open Mic Nights last year, and said they’ve become a big part of his experience at UO.

“When I started singing, it helped a lot with everything going on in my life,” Sneed said, referring to his experience getting bullied as a child. “It allowed me to convey my emotions healthily instead of being mad all the time.”

The night was a welcome reminder of all of the vivacity and light that UO students have to offer. The crowd was encouraging after each performance, erupting into applause and screams as soon as the songs finished.

Another memorable performance came from Zephyrine Bersaglieri, a second-year UO student studying popular music. They sang some of their original songs, which were sweet melodies reminiscent of Phoebe Bridgers or Faye Webster’s unique lyricism.

Bersaglieri transferred to UO and quickly found community and a way to express themselves at SAB’s open mic nights. They have been singing, writing their own songs and playing guitar since they were 10 years old, performing at local open mics and events in their hometown of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Singing and performing has continued to be their biggest passion well into their adult life.

“I love that I can be truly and authentically myself when I’m writing, singing and performing. I have social anxiety, and COVID made it really hard for me to be myself,” Bersaglieri said. “But, when I’m writing music, it just comes out and feels like the most authentic and real parts of me.”

Bersaglieri seemed comfortable and indeed themself on stage. They are currently working on an EP with a close friend, coming out soon on their Spotify account, @zephyrine.

Overall, the event was one to remember. Students, performers and the passionate teams behind the event came together for an evening of vibrant performances, fun surprises and free snacks. UO SAB’s next open mic will be held on March 13. Check out their Instagram for any updates @uo.sab.

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On the corner of East 11th Avenue and Willamette Street lives an unassuming trading card and game store, Addictive Behaviors. Every Tuesday night the store lights up with passionate players and community members for Magic: The Gathering tournaments.

Released in 1993, Magic: The Gathering is a multiplayer card game where players use combinations of spells and creatures to defeat their opponents. The cards are collectible, and players build their decks over time, card by card. Some cards are less than 50 cents apiece, others cost thousands of dollars. Addictive Behaviors buys and sells these cards, almost like a used clothing store but for card games.

The MTG community in Eugene is thriving. Addictive Behaviors is filled with people of all ages and backgrounds competing in tournaments, playing Commander style, which is a style of play where four people around a table take turns. The style is considered to be more casual, allowing novice players to play in tournaments without having to spend too much money on niche cards. It also keeps the game social and low-stakes, so people can make deals with other players and joke around during the game.

These factors contribute to the inclusive and kind environment that the Eugene MTG community harbors. Many people at the tournaments have known each other for years, getting together weekly to play. While they take turns, they often chat about new cards they’ve acquired or trade items. Anyone is welcome to sign up for tournaments and to make new friends in the community.

“This guy right here, I met three years ago at one of these tournaments. Now, we hangout all the time,” Nick Bernier, a former UO student and current community member, said about his friend across the table, Justin Krier.

Bernier started playing Magic: The Gathering four years ago and enjoys the social aspects of the game. When he arrived in Eugene, he wanted to make a new group of friends. The MTG community was very welcoming, and Bernier quickly settled in.

When asked how he contributes to the inclusivity of the community, he said, “I try my best to match the skill level of all the other decks at the table. I do that so everyone’s having fun. If one person is coming in with a really competitive deck, and all the other people are coming in with non-expensive, low-powered decks, that’s not fun for everyone.”

Everyone did seem to enjoy last Tuesday’s tournament. The room was filled with excited chatter and nervous energy as people laid down cards, collected mana and left everything on the table.

Bernier’s friend, Justin Krier, has been playing MTG since 2004 when he was in middle school. Krier is currently a graduate student at the University of Oregon, studying the science behind earthquakes. When he moved to Eugene he quickly discovered the vivacious MTG community here and found his people.

“I like the individuality and creativity people can have with the game. Everyone can build their own deck in their own way. It’s a great way to express yourself,” Krier said. “I also like how the game is never the same. You have to think on your toes and improvise a lot.”

Strategic moves and politics between players is a major aspect of MTG, especially in a casual setting. These parameters help to build community bonds and encourage people to get to know each other throughout the gameplay.

Considering that Eugene is known for its out-of-the-box, welcoming mini-communities, it’s no surprise that the city is considered a major Magic: The Gathering hub. People looking to get involved in a little competitiveness, collecting and community fulfillment need look no further than Addictive Behaviors’ Tuesday tournaments.

The post Tuesday nights are Magic in Eugene appeared first on Daily Emerald.

As the term comes to an end, new academic opportunities come to life right here on campus. A brand-new exhibit at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History has opened, showcasing images from the James Webb Space Telescope and the science behind it, free for students to visit.

Curated by museum staff and University of Oregon Professor of astronomy Scott Fisher, “Capturing the Cosmos” showcases images captured by the Webb Telescope and insight into the technology behind it. Launched on Christmas Day 2021, this infrared space telescope gives astronomers a revolutionary look into space, farther and clearer than ever before.

The collection of images at the museum includes vibrant images of nebulas, exploding stars and a detailed view into our own galaxy, the Milky Way. In addition to the images, the museum exhibit has interactive elements, including videos explaining the telescope’s impact and workstations that explain light refraction.

The collection features images comparing the previous leading telescope, Hubble Space Telescope, with the James Webb Space Telescope. Hubble operates using visible wavelengths, while Webb uses infrared, producing a much higher visibility in images and a further range of sight.

One infographic reads, “Webb allows us to look deep into dust clouds to study how stars and planets form. Infrared light — what Webb can see — easily pierces through dust.” Alongside the text, there are two images of the Pillars of Creation, comparing the Hubble and Webb telescopes’ visibility, showcasing just how far science has come with this technological development.

“Webb is going to push forward astronomy for a whole generation, just like Hubble did. We’re gonna get to see the same objects we’ve seen, but in different wavelengths and with exquisite resolution. The best resolution we’ve ever seen this stuff in,” Fisher said.

Fisher has been teaching at UO for 12 years and is one of the most beloved astronomy professors on campus, according to students. He was previously a staff scientist at a telescope in Hilo, Hawaii, and is now the director at Pine Mountain Observatory, located in Bend, Oregon and operated by the UO. Fisher has received a grant this year, allowing him to spend time working at the observatory, as well as consulting on exhibits like “Capturing the Cosmos.”

“I really appreciate that we live in a community that values scientific knowledge, and we want to be able to share it with folks,” Fisher said. “By seeing these images that draw you in because they’re beautiful…in that beauty, there are these incredibly powerful statements about our place in the universe and how we’re connected to it.”

The museum exhibit features a quote on the wall from Dr. Carl Sagan, prolific astronomer and science communicator. The quote reads, “The cosmos is within us. We are made of star stuff.”

This quote captures the thought-provoking nature of “Capturing the Cosmos.” Showcasing the wonders of space through Webb’s images, the museum exhibit encourages visitors to reflect on their place in the universe and the profound nature of space itself.

The exhibit will be open until March 28, 2025.

Looking for something fun to do around Eugene? Consider attending a shadow cast performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Full of energy and passion for performing, Forbidden Fruit, a UO club, lit up the EMU amphitheater with unconventional expression and pride.

Shadow cast performances of Rocky Horror are a long-held tradition within queer communities around the US. Originally a box office flop, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” evolved into a cult classic of queer media, described by a UO shadow cast member as “one of the campiest things you’ll ever see.”

The movie musical tells the story of innocent sweethearts Brad and Janet (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon), who stumble upon the eccentric house of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), after their car breaks down in a remote area. Described as a sci-fi horror retelling of Frankenstein with a 70s, sexual liberation twist, the film quickly became an iconic part of queer culture, according to cast interviews.

Embodying themes of pride, sexual freedom and acceptance of the unconventional, people gathered to watch the movie repeatedly, eventually yelling the script back at the screen and performing along. The fun tradition of shadow casts was born.

UO club Forbidden Fruit aims to keep this tradition and community alive on campus. Holding themed performances twice per term, the club exemplifies how queer expression and whimsical traditions thrive in Eugene.

Cast members dress up in full costume and perform the movie word-for-word in front of a projection. With charismatic dance numbers, colorful lighting design, and audience participation throughout, the shows are a must-see for students looking to spice up their weekends or people interested in finding a welcoming community here on campus.

During the club’s packed performance on Thursday, Oct. 24, Shay Santa Cruz Krigbaum, a junior majoring in sociology, shined as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Donning lingerie and a feather boa, Krigbaum showcased exactly what Rocky Horror is all about.

“Frank has always been such a queer icon for me. Playing Frank really elevates your confidence to the max. He’s just a big deal. Very cathartic and c-nty,” Krigbaum said.

Audience participation is a big part of Rocky Horror. The audience engages in callback lines, yelling certain phrases during the film and using props. For instance, when Brad and Janet get caught in the storm, audience members hold newspapers over their heads, among other fun moments.

The songs throughout the show also contribute to the unforgettable experience. With classics like “Dammit Janet” and “Time Warp/Sweet Transvestite,” the audience sings along with passion and excitement.

“I feel like there’s no wrong way to participate. There’s people from different kinds of backgrounds here. Some people have seen the movie a billion f—ucking times, and other people have no idea what they’re getting into,” Krigbaum said. “I feel like it’s a very freeing experience as an audience member, to be loud and proud regardless of your knowledge of the movie. All that matters is that we’re here for an experience.”

“I remember, when I first saw the show, it was a moment for me where I was like, okay, this is a place where you can be a freak, you can be weird, you can be vibrantly queer and that’s gonna be acceptable. After that, I really wanted to be a part of it,” cast member Mark Luckey said.

Luckey added that as an audience member you have to “be ready for anything. You’re going to hear things and experience things that you may not have been prepared for. Just come in with an open mind and be ready to embrace how weird it is. Leave your hangups at the door.”

Forbidden Fruit can be a source of community for students who love performing and queer media. Consider seeing a show, and be ready for a unique experience that will knock your socks off.

As Halloween comes knocking on the door, it may feel like fall has passed by far too quickly. While keeping up with the responsibilities of being college students, it can be easy to let the season pass without celebrating.

With one week left in October, here’s a list of some of my favorite spooky date ideas for couples hoping to make the most out of the fall season before it ends.

Pumpkin Patch

Visiting a pumpkin patch ranks high among my favorite seasonal date ideas. There’s something romantic and sweet about picking out pumpkins to carve together right before Halloween.

One great spot is Johnson Farms, located just North of Eugene. This charming farm offers an array of fall activities beyond the pumpkin patch, including hayrides and apple picking. Couples can make a day out of it, switching between the activities and carving pumpkins together after they’ve been picked. This classic fall tradition makes a great date activity.

Art House Frights

For a thrilling date night, consider a trip to the Art House movie theater in Eugene, just several blocks from campus. It’s a great local alternative to mainstream cinema chains like AMC, and allows couples to support a local business while enjoying a spooky date night.

Grab dinner at a cozy spot like McMenamins and then head to Art House for their Halloween screenings of Donnie Darko at 6:20 p.m. and Halloween at 9:00. p.m. from Oct. 29-31. What’s better than cozying up with your partner and celebrating the Halloween spirit? And for those first date nerves, what’s better than a jump scare to help you make the first move?

Cozy Night In

If you and your partner prefer a cozier option, why not have a date night at home? Pick up the Halloween special at Papa Murphy’s — for $14, you can get a Jack-O-Pizza, which is a a Jack-o-lantern shaped pizza, and a tub of cookie dough.

This makes the perfect Halloween date night for homebody couples. Papa Murphy’s is a take-and-bake pizza shop, so customers can take home a pizza, make it, and bake cookies as a fun, do-it-yourself date night. Get in the Halloween spirit with the It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown soundtrack and spend quality time with your partner decorating cookies and celebrating the holiday.

Thrift for Costumes

As Halloween quickly approaches, many may find themselves scrambling for a costume. Why not make a date out of it? Head to local thrift spots like Goodwill or St. Vinnie’s with your significant other and pick out Halloween costumes together. They have a large section of inexpensive costumes to pick from, and it’s more sustainable than shopping online.

Couples can also make costumes together. Making costumes is a fun Halloween tradition that allows people to get creative and make something unique for the upcoming Halloweekend. Pick your favorite couple’s costume idea and get to work.

College GameDay was just over a weekend ago, and the school spirit of the Ducks was in full swing.

Students camped out all night on the grass in front of the Knight Library for a chance to be featured on the nationwide broadcast, ESPN College GameDay. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the No. 3 Ducks prepared to take on the No. 2 Buckeyes. 

But why? Why are students willing to show up on campus at midnight or even before, just for College GameSay? Here’s what one Duck fan had to say.  

“It’s electric out here. College GameDay is such a group event; the one night a year where it’s socially acceptable to stay up all night and root for the Ducks,” Declan McCarthy, UO student, said.

McCarthy said he thought the Ducks would win. When he was asked why, he said,  “It’s all about the energy in Autzen, loudest stadium in college football. The Ducks can’t lose here in Eugene.”

One of the most creative parts of College GameDay is the homemade signs that fans bring to the event. These signs not only express the vibrant school spirit of the Ducks but also represent the competitive nature of major football matchups like this one. Students showed up to the event sporting comedic signs berating the Ohio State Buckeyes or praising Oregon football’s head coach, Dan Lanning.

One sign held by an Oregon student said, “Lieutenant Dan” with a picture of Dan Lanning, referencing the iconic movie “Forrest Gump.” Other signs made jokes about Ohio State’s mascot, the Buckeye nut. One said, “Great day for quackin’ nuts.”

Many signs also celebrated Oregon’s new star quarterback Dillon Gabriel. One sign, held by a particularly ecstatic fan, said, “I want Daddy Dillon.”

One exciting sign made a reference to Vanderbilt’s surprising win against Alabama. After the win, students carried the goalpost out of the stadium and threw it into the Cumberland River. The sign reads, “The Willamette River YEARNS for a goalpost.”

Some of the signs were even held up by the Oregon Duck himself.

The Duck stood on a platform behind the ESPN GameDay commentators, switching from sign to sign. His most viral was a sign that read, “Sydney Sweeney call me back”

Actress Sweeney ended up responding to the sign on her Instagram story, apologizing to the Duck and saying she had changed her phone number.

Another sign by the Duck said, “Ohio is a Walmart Michigan.” These signs sported by the Duck himself made a splash with viewers and the commentators themselves. The audience cheered loudly for each sign the Duck held and for his various antics throughout the broadcast. 

The combination of spirited fans, creative signs and one of the closest games of the season yet made Saturday, Oct. 12 a GameDay that will be hard to forget. With duck pride pulsing through the air, it’s safe to say that Eugene upheld the spirit of college football season to the fullest extent.

Ghost Town Outfitters, a hidden gem vintage store, has come to Eugene’s downtown area. Originally operating out of a warehouse on West 11th Avenue, Ghost Town opened in late 2022 to customers looking for hand-picked clothing at affordable prices.

Now, the shop has expanded to a new location on 13th Avenue. Just a ten-minute walk from campus, the new storefront has clothes of all colors and sizes for low prices.

Parker Hayes, owner of Ghost Town, opened the warehouse shop after selling clothing on eBay for many years. Hayes said he was living out of his trailer with his two kids when he acquired the warehouse from a friend of his. He moved into the warehouse and began putting the business together.

Ghost Town started out as a wholesale-based clothing shop, with bins and boxes for customers to sort through themselves. The store accidentally blew up online after Hayes posted a TikTok about it. “The next morning, I had a hundred people lined up outside the doors waiting,” Hayes said.

As the store grew in popularity, Hayes needed help. After meeting with Tristan Yaroscak and his sister Stella Hucka, he began putting the Ghost Town team together.

Over time, more specific pieces began filling the clothing racks, from vintage tees to distressed Carhartts. The store also has one dollar and five dollar bins for customers, keeping it affordable.

Growing organically on social media sites like Instagram and TikTok over the past year, Ghost Town has become a beloved place for people of the Eugene community to outsource clothes and other vintage items affordably. Hayes has since moved out of the warehouse thanks to the success of the clothing shop.

“The goal is to be consistent with the new store and open this up as a cool community meetup spot, the same way we did on West 11th,” Hayes said. “Even if you have no intention of buying anything, I want people to say, let’s just go down to Ghost Town and see what everybody’s up to.”

The original warehouse is not only home to fashionable finds — it also hosts shows and events. Featuring bands like Louise, Mothra and Lord Lawrence, the shows offer a way for the Eugene community to come together, supporting both sustainable shopping and independent musicians.

The newly opened storefront’s central location is ideal for Ghost Town Outfitters, located on 13th Avenue and Mill Street just blocks from the university campus. With funky music blasting and even funkier clothes, the new store is sure to be a hit among students throughout the upcoming school year.

Stella Hucka, an employee at Ghost Town Outfitters, said, “I’m excited that the new storefront is a walkable distance for most students. It’s good that we’re able to reach more people now and get the word out about Ghost Town.”

When asked what she likes to put on the shelves, Hucka said, “Anything that’s unique. I ask myself: would someone wear this? Is it weird? Is it fun?”

The new storefront, located at 365 E 13th Ave. is already hustling and bustling with customers. With poster-covered walls and welcoming staff, Ghost Town Outfitters’ new location is a welcome reminder of how the Eugene thrift community continues to evolve and grow.

As the summer comes to an end, rural Eugene celebrates a time-honored tradition: the annual book sale. Held by the River Road Santa Clara Volunteer Library, the book sale offered low prices for community members hoping to round out the end of their summer reading lists.

Saturday, August 24, the book sale had discounted books to raise money for the nonprofit library. Regular books were two dollars apiece, and children’s books were a dollar apiece. Sunday, August 25, the event continued, where book sale visitors could fill a grocery bag’s worth of books for just 10 dollars. Organized by genre and alphabetized, the event provided a variety of choices for customers to pick from.

Many people aren’t aware of the lack of library services in the rural areas surrounding Eugene, like the smaller town of Santa Clara. Because Santa Clara is not technically within city limits and residents do not pay city taxes, the residents don’t have access to garbage services, fire services or library services. To access the Eugene Public Library’s large selection of books, movies and music, they must pay a yearly fee of $125.

Vickie Cain, volunteer library president, wanted to change that. She and other members of the community created the River Road Santa Clara Volunteer Library, a nonprofit working to provide the rural areas with access to books and other resources. The library is funded entirely through donations and fundraising events like the book sale.

“The library itself is a really happy place,” Cain said. “People come to the library because they love books. We just want to get our name out there and provide that for the community. It’s really important.”

Benefiting both the nonprofit and the community of Santa Clara, the weekend book sale was a major success. Bustling with community members of all ages, the book sale offered low prices, while helping to support an essential local nonprofit.

Other community members were also involved in putting on and organizing the event, like Carl Bamford. “I’m friends with Vickie and she needed some help, so I came out to help,” Bamford said. “I also love books. I like to read and explore and be entertained. I’ve got bookcases full of ’em at home.”

As book prices rise in major retail stores like Barnes & Noble, events like these provide a cheaper alternative for locals to do their book shopping before the end of the summer, while spreading the word about a major resource people of the community can access for free. Reading rates in the US continue to decrease, but events like the book sale are important reminders to encourage reading for all ages.

The book sale wasn’t the only event held that weekend at the community center. Along with the sale, the local Grange, another nonprofit of the rural community, held the Verne Ivy memorial car show. The local boy scout troop also held a pancake breakfast and all-donation hot dog lunch.

“It’s really nice because we have the three organizations that all work together to put on this great community event,” Cain said.

As September approaches and students return to school, the River Road Santa Clara Volunteer Library continues to give back to their community, putting time and effort into providing books of all genres to the rural areas of Eugene. Raising money to support the rural areas of Eugene, the library volunteers work hard to bring these crucial resources to the people of their community. From Agatha Christie mystery novels to Anthony Bourdain’s beloved cookbooks, the book sale had it all.

Many are aware of the weekly farmer’s market on Saturdays in downtown Eugene, but the weekly Lane County Tuesday market is lesser known. Held every week at the Market Pavilion on the corner of 8th Avenue and Oak Street, the Tuesday market offers a more peaceful energy than the popular Saturday Market. As the summer growing season comes to an end, the Lane County Tuesday Market prepares for fall and begins filling their stands with apples, eggplants and other seasonal fall fruits and veggies.

As the air grows colder and September approaches, new vegetables have come into season. Freshly picked blackberries, eggplants and chilis were among the new selections offered on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

“I grow habanero, ghost, scorpion and Carolina reaper,” Ben Tilley, local farmer at Crossroads Farm, said. “A lot of people think you can’t grow chilies up this far north, but you can because of the warm nights in the fall.”

This is Tilley’s first year participating in the Tuesday Markets after being a frequent flier at the Saturday Farmers Market. “The farmers market is a lot of fun,” he said. “When you work on a farm, you don’t leave it much. It’s really fun to come and talk to people.”

According to Tilley, many customers at the Tuesday Market are local chefs looking for fresh ingredients to cook with. “A lot of chefs come, especially on Tuesdays. It’s fun to engage with them and see what they’re thinking,” he said. “I try to listen to what the chefs want to do with their food and help them out. Last weekend I picked a bunch of little baby eggplants for a dish someone wanted to make.”

Another appeal of the Tuesday Market is the accessibility. Weekends can be busy and many people don’t have the time to make it on Saturday, so Lane County started holding a Tuesday Market as well. With smaller crowds and more one-on-one interaction between farmers and customers, the Tuesday markets offer a close look at how local growers and the Eugene community interact.

Erin Wallat, a farmer at Oak and Meadows specializing in perennials and plant starts for the autumn season, echoed this sentiment.

“I moved to Oregon two years ago and dove right into the farmers market world here,” she said. “I love this market. The people and community are amazing in Eugene, both the farmers and our customers.”

Accessibility also comes in the form of tokens at the Tuesday Market through the EBT and Double Up Food Bucks programs. EBT users can swipe their EBT cards and exchange EBT dollars for tokens, which can be exchanged directly with the farmers for their goods.

The Double Up Food Bucks program allows the market to double EBT money up to $20. EBT users can withdraw money from their accounts and the market will double that amount.

When asked what makes the market special for her, Alexis Molinari, market director, said, “I like to work at the farmers market because it allows an opportunity to bridge different communities and increase access to local food. I love seeing state-funded dollars going into farmers’ pockets.” According to Molinari, this accessibility is a big draw for customers and vendors alike who want to attend Lane County Farmers Markets.

As the fall season approaches and new fruits and vegetables fill the stands, make sure to check out Lane County Tuesday Market on the corner of 8th Avenue and Oak Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every week. From EBT tokens to peppers and baby eggplants, the market truly has something for everyone.