Springfield, OR – The City of Springfield is excited to honor the 10-year anniversary of the beloved Ken Kesey Mural during the 6th Annual Springfield’s The Block Party powered by SELCO on Friday, September 5, in Historic Downtown Springfield.
The two-story mural, located on the east wall of the Odd Fellows Building (home to Plank Town Brewing), was originally painted in 2015 by the Old City Artists. It honors Ken Kesey – a Springfield High School graduate, celebrated author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Sometimes a Great Notion, and a central figure in American literature and counterculture.
A crowd gathered on Fourth and Main in downtown Springfield on Friday afternoon to view the unveiling of a new mural of author and graduate of Springfield High School, Ken Kesey. The Kesey family Ð including Kesey’s children and 98-year-old mother Ð attended the event. Three artists from Old City Artists painted the mural on the wall of the Odd Fellows Building in one week. (Julia Reihs / The Register-Guard)
To celebrate the milestone, the original artists will return to Springfield to refresh the mural, with final paint touches happening live during the event – giving the community a rare, behind-the-scenes view of public art in progress.
Attendees can visit the City of Springfield’s booth near the mural to:
- Spin the prize wheel for a chance to win limited-edition Kesey swag, including t-shirts, stickers, temporary tattoos, and more
- Learn the story behind the mural’s creation
- Snap a photo with the refreshed mural to mark this special moment
“This mural has become a landmark of Springfield’s creative spirit,” said Mayor Sean VanGordon. “Ken Kesey’s legacy is alive and well in this city and it’s thrilling to see it get a fresh coat as we celebrate 10 years of inspiration.” Join us for an evening of public art, community pride, and Kesey-inspired celebration.
Event Details:
- Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
- Time: Fun starts at 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Historic Downtown Springfield (Main Street from 3rd to 7th)
