35th Annual Blackberry Arts Festival, Aug. 25

The Coos Bay Downtown Association presents the 35th Annual Blackberry Arts Festival on Saturday, August 26th and Sunday, August 27th. Activities will be centered on Central Avenue and will feature an impressive array of talented artisans, music, and great food, including lots of blackberry items. Hours are 9am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. This year the Blackberry Arts Festival includes several new events on Sunday, August 27th. The Coos Bay Downtown Association and Northwest Natural Gas invite all foodies, chefs, and self-proclaimed best cooks to enter their favorite blackberry recipe in the “It’s All Berry Good” Recipe Contest. Recipes must be received by the CBDA by August 5th to participate. Semi-finalists will be selected to present their finished recipe during the Farmers Market on August 23rd. The top two finalists will present their dish during the Blackberry Arts Festival on August 27th, where a winner will be announced. The Coos Bay Downtown Association and Too Sweet Photography invite all children ages 0 to 5 to participate in the first annual “Berry Best Dressed Contest and Parade.” Registration and judging begin Sunday, August 27th at 12:00pm. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers for best use of the blackberry theme. Coos Bay Toyota and iHeartRadio are partnering to bring an exciting onsite art project to the Blackberry Arts Festival. Bring your creativity to the festival and help decorate a car! Come down and join the Drum Circle near the Food Court on Saturday at noon. Keep an eye out for the sign of the blackberry throughout the festival and downtown. This year a number of local restaurants will be joining in the blackberry celebration. You will know it when you see it!