The Blackberry Arts Festival is one of the two largest festivals in the Bay Area. Like its counterpart, the Bay Area Fun Festival in September, they have been local and regional draws for over four decades. Being in the rural part of the state, we sometimes must be creative to provide our citizens better livability. Through the years, we have learned that not only do we have the blessing of natural beauty, but we have a rich cultural side. The Blackberry Arts Festival represents both of those.
While the blackberry can be a thorn in the side of property owners, it is also delicious. It can be used in almost every type of cooking. Overtime, volunteers have continued to celebrate that harvest, when the blackberry is ripest for picking. It comes every August, and though the year the festival started is debated between 1980 and 1981 it has happened every year since, changing with the times and becoming what it is today.
Former State Senator and Coos Bay Mayor Joanne Verger was one of those involved in the original event. At the time, she and her husband had just sold the car dealership they owned. She had been selected as the Downtown Business Association promotional director. She along with The World Newspaper Editor/Publisher Jerry Barron and local artist Dorothy Vaughan decided to start a small intimate event that featured artists on the Coos Bay Mall for a day. Joanne provided the logistics and promotion along with Barron, an artist himself, and Vaughan gathered artists to set up with their easels and work in front of an appreciative viewing public.
Over the years, the festival has remained on the mall. It is now a two-day event that draws not only local artists but many from all over the country. It is a juried festival, meaning the items being displayed must be high quality and handmade. The vendors at the market are not only encouraged to sell their items but demonstrate them being made as well. Most come from Oregon, but before the pandemic, and at the height of the festival, there could be up to 100 artists, silversmiths, photographers, wood workers, potters and more from the three western states and as far as New York.
The local PEO organization became famous for their delicious blackberry cobblers and pies. They sell out at the festival every year. That tradition continued during the pandemic when the festival was on hiatus by using word of mouth and social media networks. At the festival, all food vendors are encouraged to feature at least one blackberry influenced item whether it is food, sauce, or beverage. That has also branched out to local restaurants who also feature blackberry treats and adult beverages.
The downtown business association has become the Coos Bay Downtown Association which still sponsors and organizes the festival. They also promote the downtown core and Coos Bay’s Front Street. Their website features additional information about the festival and CBDA Membership.
While here, festivalgoers will find many activities to enhance their trip. Of course, if they like to pick Blackberry’s, they can find them just about anywhere. A popular spot is above Mingus Park/Chosi Gardens along the roads and hiking trails. Libby Road in the Englewood area, that connects south Coos Bay and Charleston is also a great place to find Blackberry’s.
