Have a coat in need of mending? A toaster lever that won’t stay down? What about dull garden pruners? Community members can get these items and many others repaired for free at the first Fix-It Fair in Eugene. The event will be held on Sunday, July 16 from 11am-3pm at Amazon Community Center, 2700 Hilyard Street.
Volunteers and professionals will provide repairs and attendees will have opportunities to repair their items with coaching, or get them repaired by the professional or volunteer. People are invited to bring clothing or textiles in need of mending, tools in need of sharpening or repair, small appliances (like lamps and toasters), small electronics, furniture, and toys. The event will also include kids’ activities and refreshments provided by sponsors Whirled Pies, Cafe Mam, and Sizzle Pie.
The primary goals of the Fix-It Fairs are to raise awareness of repair as a viable option in our community.
“Repair makes sense from both an economic development perspective and an environmental one. We have a number of repair shops and professionals in this community, and we want them to be successful. And, it feels great to get something fixed rather than buying a replacement. It’s empowering and sets a good example for children,” said Stephanie Scafa, City of Eugene Waste Prevention and Green Building Manager.
The Fix-It Fairs, which use the tagline “Join the Repair Revolution,” are intended to be part of a longer term effort that raises awareness and use of repair in our community.
Event organizers are seeking volunteers to help during the event, providing repair or coaching others through repairing or mending, including setting up and taking down, greeting, and managing refreshments.
The City of Eugene’s Waste Prevention program received a $35,000 grant from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and an additional $35,000 grant from the Urban Sustainability Directors Network to develop, market, and hold the fairs, formerly called “Repair Cafés.”
The July 16 Fix-It Fair is the first of several being held in Eugene in 2017. The next one will be held on September 23 from 1-4pm at the Eugene Public Library Downtown, located at 100 W. 10th Avenue.
For more information, visit the website www.eugenerecycles.org or contact Allie Breyer, Waste Prevention Analyst for the City of Eugene, at 541-682-5224 or alexandra.e.breyer@ci.eugene.or.us.