On the first Saturday of each August, Eugeneans gather to celebrate the spirit of the Whiteaker, Eugene’s funkiest neighborhood. The Whiteaker Neighborhood itself is a whir of activity; as one of Eugene’s few mixed-use areas, it melds microbreweries, restaurants, artist communities, young folks, old folks and family life. Block Party exemplifies the beauty — be it messy or harmonious — of all that verve.

With blocks of free music, craft vendors, food, spoken word and comedy stages, street performers and a volunteer cleanup the next morning, Block Party squeezes the essence of the Whiteaker scene into its streets like an anarchist into tight leather pants, and somehow there’s still more Whiteaker. And the neighborhood doesn’t turn into a pumpkin when the event ends — stick around for some fabulous after parties.

Bring your fun-loving self on down to the Whiteaker from 1 to 10 pm Saturday for one hell of a free show.