Ask a certain segment of Eugene’s population and they’ll say the Whiteaker Block Party, now in its eighth year, eclipsed the Eugene Celebration in relevance a long time ago. And with the celebration on hiatus until 2015 (and folks pulling the Festival of Eugene together), the Block Party now gets its chance to shine as the premier civic blowout of 2014. Every year, music is a central part of the event, and this year the Block Party boasts a powerhouse of local talent.

Performing at 3:30 pm on The Cornerstone Stage are popular local country rockers The Stagger and Sway. “Whiteaker Block Party is a great opportunity to celebrate and interact with the people, art and music that make Whiteaker such a unique and vibrant part of Eugene,” says Stagger and Sway guitarist/vocalist Mike Last. “As a local band, we love to perform for this hometown crowd of art and music lovers,” he adds.

At 7 pm on The G-Spot Stage, Dick Dagger and The C Monsters perform. “We’re extremely excited to play this event,” says the group’s vocalist and guitarist Mick C. Monster, “and share our brand of Swedish rock ‘n’ roll with the local indigenous population.”

Other notable acts at this year’s Block Party include the conscious, uplifting and genre-defying hip hop of Marv Ellis & We Tribe; the jam rock of Blue Lotus, The Great Hiatum and Jupiter Hollow; and Eugene-based songwriters Jesse Meade and Sam Hahn. For fans of bluegrass and traditional music, don’t miss The Whiskey Chasers and Alder Street. If you like your Celtic music with a punk-rock twist, catch a rare appearance from local Irish-punk band Toad in the Hole.

Elsewhere The Long Hello, featuring veteran Eugene musician Tim McLaughlin of Eleven Eyes, bring their smooth soul and rock sound to the Blairally Stage. Fans of indie rock should check out Ferns, Rare Monk and Adventure Galley; and for those who like to dance, be sure to see Eugene-based DJ and EDM artist Octonaut or the funk-rock of Dubious.

Soundtracking the Redoux Parlour Fashion Show this year is the mysterious gothic-gypsy rock of Black Magdalene. And a new addition to the Block Party is the unveiling of Eugene Weekly’s Next Big Thing contest winner, an annual competition to find Eugene’s most popular up-and-coming musicians.

For more information and show times go to whiteakerblockparty.com. All events are free.