SPRINGFIELD – The 5th annual Springfield Block Party had something for its visitors – and something for the Homer folks, too.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Homer Simpson mural at 5th Avenue and Main Street. To celebrate the occasion, the city handed out free pink, sprinkled donuts and posters showing the Simpsons characters frollicking in the Oregon forest.
Several other murals have been painted in the Springfield downtown area – and Bayne Gardner had a hand in many of them.
Bayne Gardner, the muralist, stands in front of his latest work at 5th and Main streets in Springfield. The public was invited to sign the wall and contribute to the artwork with paint markers. BOB WILLIAMS / CHRONICLE PHOTO
“At Willamalane Park about five or six years ago, I did a hummingbird mural there at their pool for their 75th anniversary,” Gardner said. “I always wanted to paint art. My favorite thing to do was paint on walls. I can’t imagine doing anything else; this is what I do, I paint murals.”
On Friday, he had a lot of helping hands. A few hundred of them.
The Springfield Chamber of Commerce, celebrating their 75th year of incorporation, sponsored a community mural by Gardner on the back wall of the Emerald Art Center. Droves of people stopped by to write down their names, love notes, sports messages, or anything else that came to mind.
“All the writings are permanent as long as we don’t have to edit anything,” Gardner said. “They were written with acrylic paint pens.”
Mural painting scenes at the BLOCK Party. BOB WILLIAMS / CHRONICLE PHOTOS
Gardner said he enjoys working with kids.
“I’ve done a lot of school and community murals before,” he said. “I’ve worked on a few Springfield murals – including the Smart Reading mural – so schools will hire me to do student murals and I get to work with students.
“When kids see murals, hopefully they’ll be inspired to paint murals when they grow up. That’s kind of the way it happened with me.”
Mural painting scene at the BLOCK Party. BOB WILLIAMS / CHRONICLE PHOTO
While many party-goers were busy admiring all of the Simpsons artwork, Homer himself (or herself) was busy making new friends.
According to Darwin, who only gave his first name, his mom was wearing her Homer Simpson mascot outfit for the first time. It had been close to 100 degrees that afternoon.
“It’s very hot, he’s sweating badly, but we plan to do this again. I think he likes it,” Darwin said of his mom, who chose to remain “mum” for this interview. “About 20 kids have come up to us. We’re really big fans of the show.”
Darwin, 12, is a seventh-grader at Spencer Butte Middle School in Eugene.
A Homer Simpson mascot is accompanied by her 12-year-old son Darwin during Friday’s Block Party. RON HARTMAN / THE CHRONICLE
Among the other live performers were the Grey Matter Jugglers, Pegasus Playhouse, acapella group Verdant, and the One More Time Marching Band. There was also an earthquake simulator and ax throwing.
Scenes from the BLOCK Party. BOB WILLIAMS / CHRONICLE PHOTOS
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Maliya Morgan has thoroughly enjoyed her reign as Miss Oregon Volunteer 2024.
“It’s been great. I get to go out in public and volunteer – we have a partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs – and we go into public schools and our emphasis is on mental health education, and seeing that everyone has the mental access they need,” said Morgan, who will relinquish her crown on Jan. 11, 2025 at the Wildish Theater.
Above, Maliya Morgan with Steven Broderick, who is visiting the States for the first time from the United Kingdom. He said he is loving “the community and the culture at the BLOCK Party.” Below, City staff raffle off Simpson mural shirts and posters in honor of the mural’s 10th anniversary downtown. BOB WILLIAMS / CHRONICLE PHOTO
Morgan attended the U of O and Lane CC, and is currently running two businesses.
“I want to go back and get a business degree so I can take over my family’s businesses,” she said.
Morgan said she’s looking forward to meeting her successor.
“It’s a wonderful organization and the winner goes to Jackson, Tenn., for nationals, with $50,000 going to the winner,” Morgan said. “You get to compete with 50 other girls and it opens so many doors. She will be able to spread word about scholarship and volunteerism.”
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According to Brian Dunn, police officer for the City of Springfield, there were no arrests made during the Block Party and no heat-related illnesses in the 90-plus degree temperatures.
“It looks like, everywhere you turn, somebody is selling or giving you something to drink, so I think we’re trying to beat the heat that way,” Officer Dunn said. “It has been hot and a little smoky, but it’s been OK.
“This is one of those opportunities to engage with the community. It’s fun. I like seeing kids coming up to you, I give them stickers. We want to be here to engage with the community and hopefully not be needed for anything but having fun interactions with people.
“It’s been a really fun time, very friendly.”
Heartless & Hopeless Tattoo and Mothership Salon staff enjoying the BLOCK Party.
Left: Brian Richardson, Director of Communications and Community Relations and Todd Hamilton, Springfield Public Schools Superintendent, represent the schools at the BLOCK Party. Center: Vonnie Mikkelsen, President & CEO, and Mary Ann Reilly, Programs & Events Coordinator for the Springfield Chamber enjoy some shade. Right: Springfield Police on foot and bike patrol on Main Street. BOB WILLIAMS / CHRONICLE PHOTOS
