EUGENE, Ore. – Since its inception, the Eugene Tea Festival has quickly become a beloved annual event for tea enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 2019 by Executive Director Madelaine Au, the festival held its first event in 2023 and has already seen remarkable growth.
Au, inspired by her experiences at the Seattle Northwest Tea Festival in 2017, sought to bring a similar celebration to Eugene after relocating there in 2019. “I went to the Seattle Northwest Tea Festival in 2017 and just fell in love with tea festivals,” she said. “I decided that we needed to have one in Eugene.”
The festival’s attendance has doubled each year since its debut, starting with 500 attendees in 2023 and reaching 1,000 last year. This year, organizers anticipated up to 2,000 attendees, making it the largest gathering yet. The 2024 festival featured 60 vendors, live music, and art installations, offering visitors a diverse and engaging experience.
Vendors at the festival provided attendees with the opportunity to sample a wide range of teas. Confidence Tea Infusions, founded by Virginie Madistin, reported selling out of their popular lemon mango tea. “Today proved that lemon mango tea is my favorite product,” Madistin said. “We’re completely out of our tester and have sold out of all of our jars.”
Festival-goers praised the event’s welcoming atmosphere and variety of activities. Ryan Scovill appreciated the intimate spaces where attendees could relax and enjoy tea presentations.
Organizers hope to continue expanding the Eugene Tea Festival and establishing it as a staple community event each May, celebrating tea culture and fostering connections among enthusiasts.
