After postponing the Asian Celebration twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a daylong festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Alton Baker Park.

The joint event, sponsored by the University of Oregon and other Eugene organizations, brings together the Oregon Asian Celebration and the Obon & Taiko festival, both longstanding festivals in Eugene. Admission to the event is free.

In addition to attending, UO students, faculty members and staff will volunteer at the event, helping staff the Wishing Tree booth from 2 to 10 p.m. The Wishing Tree is a participatory public art project where people are invited to write hopes, wishes and dreams on strips of paper to tie onto the tree branches. The project illustrates the celebration’s theme, “Year of the Ox –  Strength in Unity,” and the project will travel to other summer festivals following the event.

“We are excited to partner with The Asian Celebration and the Obon & Taiko festival organizers to co-sponsor this signature community event,” said Ruth Huang, Campus and Community Engagement program assistant for the Division of Equity and Inclusion. “With the rise of anti-Asian violence and hate during the pandemic, celebrations like this are especially important, and this year’s theme is a timely reminder of our community’s strength and resilience.”

Huang said the event is a chance to come together in solidary with Asian community members.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate diverse Asian cultures in our community and invite event attendees to share their hopes and wishes at the Wishing Tree booth,” she said.

More information about the event is available on the Asian Celebration website.