Tell me more about the fest
Once upon a time, a seasoned Eugene community member had a vision. “Let’s have a celebration! And let’s make it free and for all ages! And let’s give back to a local non-profit! And let’s highlight all the great things in the community!” With the generous support of community partners, volunteers and busy worker bees, this vision became reality in 2018 with the inaugural Market Fest. Over 25,000 community members attended and enjoyed live music, local culinary genius, interactive art, VW buses, delicious beverages and heaps of fun all while a percentage of food & beverage sales went in support of local non-profit 15th Night.
market fest gives back
Although Market Fest is a free community festival, it is important that not only are we providing an amazingly fun celebration for all to enjoy, but that we give back to a local non-profit. We do this with the help of our sponsors, incredible vendors donating a percentage of their sales to this deserving entity, as well as raffles/auctions at the event.
We are excited to announce the 2025 Market Fest beneficiary, DevNW!
DevNW's mission is to create thriving, inclusive and healthy communities through quality affordable housing, financial/economic opportunity, small business development and policy change. On a micro- level, they work with their neighbors—individuals, families and small businesses—one-on-one. On a macro- level, they advocate for, organize, and develop thriving communities through policy, legislation, and residential and commercial real estate development.
Each year, DevNW serves more than 5,000 individuals and families across four program areas: Financial Wellbeing, Affordable Homes, Access to Funds, and Healthy Communities. They provide innovative financial education classes and workshops; robust homeownership education and counseling; Down Payment Assistance (DPA), Individual Development Account (IDA) matched savings; access to safe and affordable capital through their affiliate CDFI lender, Community LendingWorks; and home repair and down payment assistance loans. They’re also a HUD-approved housing counseling agency; have developed and manage over 425 units of affordable housing; offer resident service programs; and coordinate two Youth Homelessness Demonstration Programs (Clackamas County awarded in 2020, and Lane County awarded in 2022). Their staff operates from four offices located in Springfield, Corvallis, Salem and Oregon City, serving a seven-county area that includes Lane, Linn, Benton, Lincoln, Marion, Polk and Clackamas.
Learn more at devnw.org, and follow them on socials @devnorthwest!
