COTTAGE GROVE — Mining. Movies. Murals: The mother lode of Grove’s “Golden Years” will be on full display at the 64th annual Bohemia Mining Days festival, set to kick off on Thursday, July 13.
BMD, held July 13-15, takes hold of Cottage Grove’s historic past, contextualized through a three-day celebration of the City’s rich mining history. Expect prospecting-themed activity all throughout town, with a focus on the Downtown corridor and Coiner Park – which transforms into “Bohemia City.”
Scott Borgioli, the festival’s coordinator, said there is plenty of entertainment for both children and adults – all family-friendly entertainment and activity.
“We’re doing a lot more family events this year, much more than we have done in years past,” Borgioli said, noting some high notes, including the homemade ore cart race, three parades, over 70 vendors, an impressive entertainment line up, and additional childrens’ activities.
Operated by the local Girls Scouts troop this year, the Kids Zone has been expanded, adding more family and kids’ activities to the area, and Borgioli said that he expects it to be “the biggest and best in BMD history” with additional projects, games, crafts, art classes, planting sessions, bounce houses and carnival games.
The carnival was nixed this year due to financial setbacks post-Covid, but “families are going to walk away from BMD and have bigger smiles on their faces than they had from the carnival because of all the extra family games that we’re throwing into the mix and extra activities with the kids,” Borgioli said.
Bohemia Mining Day’s first ever female Marshal, Christina Hester, has been sworn in and is ready to take her responsibilities seriously, which involves keeping the peace of all citizens and attendees inside Bohemia City. Anyone who breaches the peace will be arrested and taken to the Bohemia City Jail where “jailer” Matthew Hewlett will take the arrestee’s photo and then “lock them up” until bail can be arranged.
This, of course, is said all in jest, and is just the type of yesteryear fun that’s to be expected.
For the full line up of events, times, and locations, see the schedule below, and visit BohemiaMiningDays.com. Follow The Chronicle on social media through to the celebration to see live updates, videos and photos.
Bohemia Mining Days Festival Schedule
THURSDAY, JULY 13
Festival hours: 4-10 p.m.; Kids Zone: 4-8 p.m.
4 p.m.: Festival begins, venue opens
4:30-6 p.m.: David Lomond (Hawaiian Elvis) on the Starfire Lumber Co. Main Stage
6 p.m.: Bloomer’s Parade (stage and line-up at tennis courts inside Bohemia City)
6:30-8 p.m. Bradly Shepherd’s Perfect Flavor (popular cover tunes)
8 p.m. Kid’s Zone Closes
8:30-10 p.m. Windy Ridge (country, rock, blues)
10 p.m. Venue closes
FRIDAY, JULY 14
Festival hours: 10 a.m.-10p.m.; Kids Zone 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
11:30 a.m.: Lil Miss Bohemia City Miners Contest – Main Stage
1:15 p.m.: Beard, Mustache, and Hairy Legs Contest – Main Stage (audience are the judges!)
3:00p.m.: Kiddie Parade (stage & line-up at tennis courts inside Bohemia City)
3:15-4:15 p.m.: Jeri James (singer songwriter w/guitar)
4:15-5:45 p.m.: Inner Limits (blues rock)
6:30 p.m.: Kid’s Zone closes to ensure sufficient time to travel to the Family Movie Night
6:30-8 p.m.: the Vipers (soul/R&B)
7 p.m.: BMD Family Movie Night: “Monsters, Inc” – Living Faith Assembly on 10th Street, just south of Bohemia Park
8:30-10 p.m.: Men from S.U.R.F. (surf hot-rod oldies)
10 p.m. Venue closes
SATURDAY, JULY 15
Festival Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Kids Zone 10 a.m.-6:30p.m.
8-10 a.m.: Breakfast in the Park
10 a.m.: Grand Miners Parade
10 a.m.: South Valley Farmer’s Market in the south side of Coiner Park (off of E Adams Ave)
11:30 a.m.: EPUD Ice Cream Special just inside entrance to Bohemia City (right hand side)
Noon: One More Time Marching Band – at the gazebo
Noon: Ore Cart Races begin on 10th Street in front of the Gold Mining Museum
12:30-2 p.m.: The Huckleberrys (country Americana)
2:30-4 p.m.: Annie Mae Rhodes Band (country bluegrass)
3:14p.m.: Pie Bake Off Contest at the Gazebo
4:30-6 p.m.: Etouffee (red hot fiddle/southern rock)
6:30 p.m.: Kid’s Zone closes to ensure sufficient time to travel to the Family Movie Night
6:30-8 p.m.: Canyoneers (Americana folk/country)
7 p.m.: BMD Family Movie Night: “Toy Story” – Living Faith Assembly on 10th Street, just south of Bohemia Park
8:30-10 p.m. Mister Wizard (classic rock)
10 p.m. Festival ends
SUNDAY, JULY 16
6-10 a.m.” Breakfast on the Mountain
10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Bohemia Brunch Specials at Axe & Fiddle
