in 2014, the event's management company, kesey enterprises, initially released a statement in june cancelling the august celebration, citing new construction and growth in eugene's revitalized downtown that reduced the space needed for entertainment and food venues. kesey enterprises later agreed to partner with the city of eugene to host a $5 concert at the cuthbert amphitheater during the weekend. a free alternative "festival of eugene" at skinner butte park was organized by krysta albert, who persisted despite a saga of funding and location uncertainties lasting as late as two weeks before the event. the festival included "health and wellness vendors, nonprofit groups, food booths, live music and poetry readings." the eugene celebration parade featured lane community college as the grand marshal, and included 70 groups of "school bands and dance troupes, the 2014 slug queen and his entourage, the fencers, roller derby skaters and belly dancers, and the primarily liberal politicians and political causes."