The city of Springfield, Oregon just outside the state capital of Eugene yesterday unveiled a massive mural inspired by The Simpsons 25th anniversary in its downtown. Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson, was on hand for the festivities and took part in a foot printing ceremony in front of the mural, which features the globally recognized cartoon family.
Smith noted that the show’s hometown was named Springfield primarily because it is such a common name for U.S. cities, but acknowledged series creator Matt Groening’s (who grew up in Portland, Ore.) 2006 reveal that it is mostly inspired by the North West locale.
“We have always said that Springfield is every town in America. But that is a dirty lie. Springfield is obviously in Oregon,” she said to the attending crowd.
The 15-by-30-foot mural was designed by 17-year show veteran Julius Preite and painted by Old City Artists, according to local newspaper The Register-Guard . The city is paying as much 10 grand for the public artwork, using revenue generated from hotel taxes. Rights owner Twentieth Century Fox is not charging a licensing fee for the piece.
THE SIMPSONS: The city of Springfield, OR celebrates THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY with the unveiling of the Simpsons mural during a block party dedication ceremony on the downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE SIMPSONS: The city of Springfield, OR celebrates THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY with the unveiling of the Simpsons mural during a block party dedication ceremony on the downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE SIMPSONS: (L-R) City of Springfield, OR Communications Director Neil Laudati, Cast member Yeardley Smith and City of Springfield, OR Senior Analyst Courtney Griesel celebrate THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY with the unveiling of the Simpsons mural during a block party dedication ceremony on their downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE SIMPSONS: Springfield, OR mural artists put the finishing touches on the new THE SIMPSONS mural celebrating THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY during the unveiling of the Simpsons mural dedication ceremony on the downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE SIMPSONS: Cast member Yeardley Smith and the city of Springfield, OR celebrates THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY with the unveiling of the Simpsons mural during a block party dedication ceremony on their downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE SIMPSONS: The city of Springfield, OR celebrates THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY with the unveiling of the Simpsons mural during a block party dedication ceremony on the downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE SIMPSONS: The city of Springfield, OR celebrates THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY with the unveiling of the Simpsons mural during a block party dedication ceremony on the downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE SIMPSONS: Cast member Yeardley Smith and the city of Springfield, OR celebrates THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY with the unveiling of the Simpsons mural during a block party dedication ceremony on their downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The new Simpsons mural is unveiled in a public ceremony in downtown Springfield Oregon on August 25th, 2014. In attendance were city dignitaries, the general public, and the voice of Lisa Simpson, Yeardley Smith. THE SIMPSONS: Cast member Yeardley Smith and the city of Springfield, OR celebrates THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY with the unveiling of the Simpsons mural during a block party dedication ceremony on their downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE SIMPSONS: Cast member Yeardley Smith and the city of Springfield, OR celebrates THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY with the unveiling of the Simpsons mural during a block party dedication ceremony on their downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE SIMPSONS: Cast member Yeardley Smith and the city of Springfield, OR celebrates THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY with the unveiling of the Simpsons mural during a block party dedication ceremony on their downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE SIMPSONS: Cast member Yeardley Smith and the city of Springfield, OR celebrates THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY with the unveiling of the Simpsons mural during a block party dedication ceremony on their downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE SIMPSONS: Cast member Yeardley Smith and the city of Springfield, OR celebrates THE SIMPSONS 25th ANNIVERSARY with the unveiling of the Simpsons mural during a block party dedication ceremony on their downtown walk of murals on Monday, Aug. 25th. THE SIMPSONS ª and © 2014 TCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 
