Events

Tie Dye & Tofu Opens

In the spirit at the Opening.

The highly anticipated exhibit, “Tie Dye & Tofu: How Mainstream Eugene Became a Counterculture Haven”, opened on Saturday, May 8th.  As visitors entered the museum they were greeted by the “Squirt-a-Shirt booth where they could tie dye a T shirt in their choice of colors.  They also had the opportunity to purchase their own “hippie name” from a vending machine for 25 cents.  In total well over 400 people attended, including some city officials.

Family at the Opening of Tie Dye & Tofu. Photo by George Filgate

Many of our visitors were colorfully and appropriately dressed for the occasion in tie dye, peace symbols and other hippie attire.  For some it was their usual get up, while others had made a special effort for the event.  The band “Wheatfield”, popular in this area in the 70s, played for a receptive audience.  The current members of Wheatfield used the opportunity to release their newest cd, and to invite past band members to sit in with them.  The crowd loved the music and many danced through the whole event.

Don Ross playing at the Opening of Tie Dye & Tofu. Photo by George Filgate

Refreshments were generously donated by businesses that started c1970 and are still in operation today; the Springfield Creamery, the Kiva and Toby’s.  The tie dye decorated cake went along with the theme.

The Opening was both lively and nostalgic. A number of visitors were visibly moved by some of the stories contained in the exhibit.