As the international track and field world plans to descend on Eugene for the

World Athletics Championships Oregon22

in July, the surrounding towns are also planning for a wave of visitors. Take Cottage Grove, a town of about 10,000 people about 20 miles south of Eugene. “The hotels are already booked throughout the area,” said Cottage Grove’s city manager Richard Meyers. Meyers said the timing of the international track championships worked well for the town because it coincided with

the 63rd annual “Bohemia Mining Days” celebration

, which will feature parades, vendors, special exhibits and ore cart races. Even closer, Springfield, a city of nearly 63,000 that shares a border with Eugene, is also getting ready. “The city is planning a temporary art installation to welcome visitors in downtown Springfield,” said Amber Fossen, a spokesperson for the city. “Spectators will be able to cheer on the men’s and women’s marathons,” she added, “as they race through Eugene and Springfield. We’re working on some fun giveaways for marathon goers and we are excited to welcome athletes and guests from all over the world!” About 50 miles north of Eugene, Corvallis is also preparing for crowds. “We are hosting several fan groups in Corvallis,” said Christina Rehklau, executive director of Visit Corvallis, “and we are anticipating most of our lodging will be full during the event.” Visit Corvallis is working with a tour company called Oregon Traveling Tours “to provide transportation options for fans from Portland, Corvallis and Eugene,” Rehklau added. The organization also is creating itineraries and tours for fans with downtime to explore the central Willamette Valley. Corvallis, home to Oregon State University, is one of the bigger towns in the Willamette Valley, with a population of close to 60,000 people. But not every town in the area is gearing up for big numbers of people. Albany, Corvallis’ neighbor with a similarly sized population, isn’t making any special plans. “Albany’s hotels are expected to fill up in part due to the event in Eugene, but also because of normal summer travel,” said Albany spokesperson Matt Harrington. “There may be increased traffic near I-5,” he added. That doesn’t mean Albany is disinterested in bringing in more visitors, however. “I also know our visitors association will be featuring

the Mid-Willamette Food Trail

as part of the event on-site to market the local culinary scene to the international media,” Harrington said. Monroe, a small town of about 650 people, roughly 25 miles north of Eugene, is taking a similar approach. “Monroe is not expecting a huge influx of visitors other than a possible increase in traffic on Highway 99 that runs through town — similar to a Duck-Beaver game,” said Monroe’s city administrator, Steve Martinenko. “In general,” he said, “for large events in Corvallis or Eugene, Monroe often gets bypassed because the interstate is faster and more convenient.” Still, Martinenko said, the town is hoping to raise its profile “so when large events do occur we can draw some folks into Monroe and the surrounding region for wine-tasting and eat at our wonderful brew-pub, the Long Timber.” About 11 miles closer to Eugene on Highway 99, Junction City’s city administrator Jason Knope said his town wasn’t planning anything specific to lure visitors. Already though, two of the town’s three motels — the Western Motel and the Guest House Inn — are almost fully booked for the time of the championships. And hotels anywhere near Eugene with available rooms are asking at least $100 more than normal a night during that time. It’s clear that whatever happens for the towns in the World Athletics Championships orbit, everyone is expecting a busy July. “It’s going to be interesting,” Knope said.

As the international track and field world plans to descend on Eugene for the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in July, the surrounding towns are also planning for a wave of visitors.

Take Cottage Grove, a town of about 10,000 people about 20 miles south of Eugene.

“The hotels are already booked throughout the area,” said Cottage Grove’s city manager Richard Meyers.

Meyers said the timing of the international track championships worked well for the town because it coincided with the 63rd annual “Bohemia Mining Days” celebration, which will feature parades, vendors, special exhibits and ore cart races.

Even closer, Springfield, a city of nearly 63,000 that shares a border with Eugene, is also getting ready.

“The city is planning a temporary art installation to welcome visitors in downtown Springfield,” said Amber Fossen, a spokesperson for the city.

“Spectators will be able to cheer on the men’s and women’s marathons,” she added, “as they race through Eugene and Springfield. We’re working on some fun giveaways for marathon goers and we are excited to welcome athletes and guests from all over the world!”

About 50 miles north of Eugene, Corvallis is also preparing for crowds.

“We are hosting several fan groups in Corvallis,” said Christina Rehklau, executive director of Visit Corvallis, “and we are anticipating most of our lodging will be full during the event.”

Visit Corvallis is working with a tour company called Oregon Traveling Tours “to provide transportation options for fans from Portland, Corvallis and Eugene,” Rehklau added.

The organization also is creating itineraries and tours for fans with downtime to explore the central Willamette Valley.

Corvallis, home to Oregon State University, is one of the bigger towns in the Willamette Valley, with a population of close to 60,000 people.

But not every town in the area is gearing up for big numbers of people.

Albany, Corvallis’ neighbor with a similarly sized population, isn’t making any special plans.

“Albany’s hotels are expected to fill up in part due to the event in Eugene, but also because of normal summer travel,” said Albany spokesperson Matt Harrington.

“There may be increased traffic near I-5,” he added.

That doesn’t mean Albany is disinterested in bringing in more visitors, however.

“I also know our visitors association will be featuring the Mid-Willamette Food Trail as part of the event on-site to market the local culinary scene to the international media,” Harrington said.

Monroe, a small town of about 650 people, roughly 25 miles north of Eugene, is taking a similar approach.

“Monroe is not expecting a huge influx of visitors other than a possible increase in traffic on Highway 99 that runs through town — similar to a Duck-Beaver game,” said Monroe’s city administrator, Steve Martinenko.

“In general,” he said, “for large events in Corvallis or Eugene, Monroe often gets bypassed because the interstate is faster and more convenient.”

Still, Martinenko said, the town is hoping to raise its profile “so when large events do occur we can draw some folks into Monroe and the surrounding region for wine-tasting and eat at our wonderful brew-pub, the Long Timber.”

About 11 miles closer to Eugene on Highway 99, Junction City’s city administrator Jason Knope said his town wasn’t planning anything specific to lure visitors.

Already though, two of the town’s three motels — the Western Motel and the Guest House Inn — are almost fully booked for the time of the championships. And hotels anywhere near Eugene with available rooms are asking at least $100 more than normal a night during that time.

It’s clear that whatever happens for the towns in the World Athletics Championships orbit, everyone is expecting a busy July.

“It’s going to be interesting,” Knope said.