Press coverage, interviews, features, and media spotlights that help share the story of Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days.
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Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days, Executive Director Matthew Hewlett recognized the support of the city council by presenting a gold-painted lead ingotâoriginally given to Walter Woodard in the 1970s. Including a commemorative certificate inspired from Debra Monsive of the Cottage Grove Genealogical Society.
âMINEâFULLNESS: Grove celebrates its legacyâ highlights the vibrant Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days festival in Cottage Grove. The article captures the 66th annual celebration at Coiner Park, where the community embraced its mining heritage with artisan vendors, classic fair food, historic-themed games, and lively reenactments. From Matthew Hewlettâs vintage photo booth to outhouse cornhole and a Minerâs Dinner, locals participated in feudâstyle competitions and a pieâeating contestâculminating in a grand miners parade with over 25,000 attendees. The piece reflects on the festivalâs familial atmosphere and communal pride, calling the weekend âalmost like a huge family reunionâ
âPhotos: Bohemia Mining Days 2025 â A Legacy Reignitedâ captures the vibrant revival of Cottage Groveâs beloved summer festival, held July 17â19 in Coiner Park. With the theme âStriking Gold: A Legacy Reignited,â the photo-heavy feature spotlights workshops like blacksmithing, woodworking, and Native American cultural demonstrations, plus pieâeating contests, gold panning for all ages, lively vendor booths, kidsâ activities, and the grand miners parade. A new nonprofit, Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days, brought it all togetherâcomplete with 100 vendors, themed booth displays, and volunteer-led enthusiasmâdelivering a lively blend of heritage and community pride .
âBohemia Mining Days Festival Countdownâ builds excitement as Coiner Park prepares to become âBohemia Cityâ for the 66th annual celebration on July 17â19. The article highlights must-see events like minersâ dinners, live music, historical demonstrations, pie-eating contests, vendor booths, gold panning, and the grand miners paradeâinviting locals and visitors to gear up for a weekend filled with heritage, community, and Old West-style fun as the countdown winds down.
âStriking Gold Again: Bohemia Mining Days celebrates 66 years in Cottage Groveâ from KLCC showcases the return of the historic festival, July 17â19, honoring the regionâs Gold Rush-era roots. The article highlights a vibrant lineup of live music, historic demonstrationsâfrom blacksmithing to gold panningâcommunity contests, and the grand miners parade, all set amid the spirit of renewal as locals and visitors gather to carry forward a beloved legacy
I got my start at Bohemia Mining Days in 2019 with the Jail Cell Photobooth and helped with the Art Show we hosted that year. Each year since, the Jail Cell Photobooth has been a favorite among the citizens of Cottage Grove. In 2024, I stepped up to lead the Spirit of BMD celebration to ensure the event continued. Now, I am the Executive Director of Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating Cottage Grove's history, fostering community engagement, and inspiring future leaders through the annual festival and year-round initiatives.