COTTAGE GROVE – Since the Bohemia Mining Days board announced its inability to put on the Grove’s annual BMD celebration last month, opting to skip this year and hopefully come back in 2025, a group of community members have decided to put on a “Spirit of BMD” event July 19-21.
Patrick Cartwright, Spirit of BMD ore cart races co-coordinator, spoke at the June 10 city council meeting. He informed council that the group is moving forward in dotting all Is and crossing all Ts to ensure all necessary paperwork is completed. For example, Cartwright said Spirit of BMD acquired insurance that morning.
Jake Boone, assistant to the city manager, said the City intended to support the Spirit of BMD this summer while emphasizing the distinction between BMD and the Spirit of BMD.
Spirit of BMD hopes to be a “spiritual successor to the beloved Bohemia Mining Days,” and bring together the community through BMD’s well-known, wild west theme. It is not affiliated with BMD.
Spirit of BMD is a free, tribute event that will feature live bands, vendors, food, contests, ore cart races, a parade, and more.
Matthew Hewlett, Spirit of BMD celebration/entertainment coordinator, said the importance of community involvement and getting people out of their houses is what motivated him to bring together past BMD volunteers to create the Spirit of BMD.
He added that this event’s ability to educate people on the history of Cottage Grove is also important because “Cottage Grove doesn’t have many heritage-based events that get people involved very much.”
“I’m incredibly shocked about how well this is going and how fast everything is coming together,” Hewlett said.