Blog

With the Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days festival just a month away—July 17th through 19th—we’ve been working harder than ever to make sure this year’s celebration truly reflects the heart of Cottage Grove and our region’s living history.

It’s been a busy, intense, and exciting two months, and I wanted to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what we’ve been building—and rebuilding—from the ground up.

Rebuilding the Foundation

Last year, we pulled off the festival in just six weeks. This year, we’ve had more time—but in many ways, it’s still felt like starting from scratch. We've been refining nearly every process: from how vendors are placed to how we communicate with sponsors, track commitments, and follow through on our promises.

Our vendor team has been meeting regularly to figure out booth placement and layout, working to create a flow that makes sense for visitors and gives each vendor a chance to shine. We're setting firmer procedures in place this time around—no more flying by the seat of our pants.

Fundraising & Outreach

One of the biggest pushes has been donor outreach. We’ve been reaching out to as many sponsors, businesses, and community members as possible to raise the funding needed not only to host this year’s event but to sustain Spirit of Bohemia long-term.

It’s not just about asking for support—it’s about building trust. That means making sure vendors feel valued, sponsors receive the perks they were promised, and that we remain transparent about our goals and needs.

Creating a Cultural Movement

But we’re not just planning a festival. We’re working on something much bigger: a long-term cultural movement rooted in heritage, storytelling, and survival.

In the past two months, we’ve laid the groundwork for several major initiatives:

• The Bohemia Academy: where local youth and lifelong learners alike can explore the stories, culture, and natural history of our region.
• A growing media presence: including a podcast, original social media content, and videos that highlight the legends and real-life heroes who helped shape the Bohemia Mining District.
• A rebrand of our identity—leaning into the rugged, resourceful spirit of frontier survival. Because this isn’t just a festival. It’s a celebration of what it means to live close to the land, tell your story, and build something worth passing on.

Legends, Not Just Logistics

We’ve also been diving deep into research for our new video series, This Is Where Legends Are Made. These stories aren’t just folklore—they’re the heart of our local identity. From miners and loggers to community builders, we’re working hard to bring their legacies to life through creative storytelling.

A Personal Note

I want to speak from the heart for a moment: if we drop the ball on anything this year, please don’t hesitate to let me know. We’re growing, we’re learning, and we’re doing our absolute best to get this right—but a lot of this is new territory. Apart from organizing last year’s festival, I’m learning as I go. So if something doesn’t go the way it should, give us the chance to make it right.

How You Can Help

This is a community festival, and we need the community behind it.

• Donate if you’re able. Every dollar helps us tell these stories and keep this event alive.
• Volunteer your time—we’ll find a role that fits your interests.
• Spread the word. Let your neighbors, friends, and coworkers know that Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days is back and better than ever.

Let’s keep building something real. Let’s keep the spirit alive.

With deep gratitude,
Matthew Hewlett
Executive Director
Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days