COTTAGE GROVE – The Bohemia Mining Days Festival is returning to Cottage Grove for its 67th season next weekend, and folks are sure to see some new attractions, as well as some of the classics that have stuck around since the beginning.
Saturday morning during BMD has historically been reserved for the Grand Miners Parade, which wags down Main Street. Executive director of Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days, Matthew Hewlett, said the parade lends itself to the biggest event of the weekend. He said the parade has been a tradition since the beginning of BMD, since 1959.
“Even before then, starting as early as 1935, there were parades that were for this exact purpose of honoring our history,” Hewlett said.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. and follows a new route this year, going through Cottage Grove’s Historic Downtown. The new path blends parade tradition with downtown energy and the current festival flow. Floats start on 5th Street and head east down Main, starting downtown and passing both Coiner and Bohemia parks. The parade will end with a right turn on Gateway Boulevard.
On the mornings of the BMD parade, it seems like the whole town takes to the street to cheer on passing floats before heading into Coiner Park for the festival. Families line the route, music fills the air, and every float helps tell the story of the community, traditions, and creativity.
Some floats that usually make a yearly appearance for the event include the Bohemia Mine Owners Association, Cottage Grove High School sports teams, One More Time Marching Band, World War II Rosies, and South Lane Fire and Rescue.
Breakfast trek
Another longstanding tradition that comes with the festival is the Cottage Grove Prospectors and Golddiggers “Breakfast on the Mountain.” The Miner’s breakfast is going on its 62nd annual appearance and starts shortly after sunrise at Bohemia Saddle Park.
Cottage Grove Prospectors and Golddiggers is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the history of gold mining in the area. One of the organization’s primary goals is to educate the public about the history of gold mining in the region and the importance of responsible mining practices.
To get to the mountain, drive past Dorena toward Culp Creek, then take Brice Creek Road from Disston. The journey is about 80 miles round trip and is not recommended for motorhomes.
Keep an eye out during the parade on Saturday morning for the CG Prospectors and Gold Diggers float. They will be handing out flyers with a map and directions for getting there.
A hearty breakfast of all-you-can-eat pancakes, a slab of ham, two eggs, and coffee or juice will be served from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. Kiddos 12 and under are $10, and adults are $15. Bring cash because the mountain is not equipped for electronic payment.
For more information about the festival, check out some quick facts here, or visit the website here.
