Well folks, it's been a whirlwind few weeks behind the scenes at Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days — and things are starting to take shape!
We’ve officially crossed the 50 vendor mark, which is incredibly exciting. It’s great to see so many local makers, artists, and food folks ready to bring their goods and talents to the festival this summer. That said, the parade is looking a little thin so far — just a few entries in as of now. If you’ve ever thought about joining the Grand Miners Parade (or the Kiddie version!), now’s the time to sign up and bring some flair to Main Street.
We also had our first leadership team meeting recently, and it was a fantastic kickoff. Many of our team leads were in attendance, sharing updates and collaborating on how to make this year’s festival one to remember. Some fun developments came out of that conversation:
The Miners Dinner is officially on! Volunteers are secured, and the menu is looking delicious — think steak, baked beans, cornbread, and a sweet treat for dessert.
Parking plans are being reworked due to some tree changes in the park — Dylan, our parking coordinator, is creating new standard procedures to help things run smoothly.
The Kids' Heritage Fair is set for May 23rd, held in partnership with Family Relief Nursery. It'll be located in the grassy lot behind Safeway, with vendors, activities, and (as always) a need for volunteers.
The Bohemia City play is shaping up to be a hit. Written by Brett French and Rob Weaver, it’s titled "A Haunting We Will Go: The Stolen Nugget", and features ghostly hijinks, historical characters, and a comedic mystery vibe. Think Buster Keaton meets Scooby-Doo!
Our art show is getting a refresh, with help from the Cottage Grove Art Collective. There’s talk of a pop-up gallery, live art demos, and possibly some historical artwork from past festivals.
The Witches of Cottage Grove have plans to dance in the gazebo post-parade, and yes — it’s going to be awesome.
One especially cool update? We’re getting new facade walls for Bohemia City! The originals are no longer available, but a new set is being built right now, with the help of local folks and donated materials. It’s all coming together.
Oh, and don’t be surprised if you see flyers popping up around town (or even at local rest stops). We’re spreading the word — and we’d love your help sharing the excitement.
If you’re able to support us financially, we’re still working hard to reach our fundraising goal — currently sitting just under 50%. Every donation makes a difference. You can pitch in at spiritofbmd.com/donate.
Thanks for being part of the community that keeps this festival alive. More updates are coming soon — until then, keep your boots muddy and your spirits high!