COTTAGE GROVE – Twinberry Commons hosted a Spring Fun Festival on Saturday, April 25 at a familiar location – just outside of historic downtown on the corner of Highway 99 and Main Street.
The building, previously home to the Covered Bridge Brewing Group, has been renovated into the community’s new Cottage Grove Public Market.
Twinberry Commons is a nonprofit established in 2024 that aims to develop a thriving vendor market for local businesses.
It offers a range of products, including food, art, and music. Its mission is to create a welcoming community space to support sustainable artisans, farmers, and producers, it’s organizers said.
Live music played out back last Saturday with vendors scattered in and around of the building. A familiar face could be spotted in the red food truck outside, where Maria Escobedo is selling her beloved tamales. Escobedo has been making tamales for more than 20 years and selling them through social media. Now she finally has her own food truck.
“I’m more excited for this year, (to be able to) offer this any time, any day,” Escobedo said. “I’m very thankful for this opportunity.” The fresh tamales, flautas, tortas, and more are at Cocina Mi Pueblo in the back of 926 E. Main St.
The Coast Fork Farm Stand, occupying half of the space inside, experienced heavy foot traffic as shoppers browsed the fresh produce. “I wouldn’t be here if the community hadn’t responded,” owner Scott Burgwin said.
The festival brought together local crafters and artisans to raise money for the development of community spaces, including a public market, food co-op, and incubator space. Lesley Colberg began making soft toys as a teenager. She sells mouse dolls and donates the proceeds from the sales of the mice to the CG Humane Society, she said.
The day was capped off with a fundraiser dinner. Guest speakers included Charlie Tilt, co-founder of Hummingbird Wholesale, Majory House, an expert in ethnbotany and orchard owner in Mosby Creek, and Josh Fattal, executive director of the Center for Rural Livelihoods. Music was provided by local songwriter Bradley Shepherd and Ratie D.
The dinner sold out, said project manager Rebecca Allen Lamptey, raised nearly $10,000.
The Woodard Family Foundation has shared its support for Twinberry Commons with a 1:1 matching grant of $30,000, provided that a minimum matching donation of $30,000 is fundraised elsewhere by June 28, Lamptey said. Twinberry Commons is welcoming donations at givebutter.com/c/MQd9fP
