Blackberry Arts Festival, Aug. 26

The Coos Bay Downtown Association welcomes visitors this weekend to the Annual Blackberry Arts Festival in downtown Coos Bay. The festival features juried arts and crafts hand-made by local and regional vendors. It also features delicious blackberry treats by food vendors. A staple at the festival each year is the PEO Blackberry Pies. Festival-goers are encouraged to get their piece of the pie early for the best selection. Whole pies will also be sold. Other food vendors will feature the blackberry as well. This year, several Coos Bay eateries will feature blackberry-inspired dishes. Look for the “berry cool” Blackberry Arts Festival logo in participating business’ windows. 7 Devils Brewery, 247 S. 2nd, CB – Blackberry beer, soda and dessert; Benetti’s Italian Restaurant, 260 S. Broadway, CB – Salmon blackberry salad and blackberry dessert; Cakes with Jazz, 164 Market St., CB – Blackberry cupcakes (Saturday only); City Subs, 149 N. 4th, CB – Blackberry ice cream; Coney Station, 295 S. Broadway, CB – Blackberry pie; Outdoor In 305 S. 4th, CB – Blackberry ice cream; Sugar Shack Bakery (Vern & Angie’s), 63023 Highway 101, CB – Blackberry donuts and breads. The Blackberry Arts Festival celebrates its 33rd year and features the “Blackberry Jam Stage” sponsored by K-DOCK Sound and Music. Music by Done Deal, Charlie Freak and Bobby Lindstrom’s annual reunion of Elkhorn Express will be featured this year. The Bay Area Teen Idol semi-finals will feature the best of the season at 2pm. Bay Area Teen Idol is the premiere vocal competition for Coos County and western Douglas County teens. Also new this year is the increased participation of the Coos Art Museum (CAM). The museum features free admission this weekend and special hours from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and 1pm to 4pm on Sunday. CAM will also offer free Zentangle mini lessons on the half hour from 11am to 2:30pm on Saturday with materials and goodie bags provided for the first 12 in each session. The non-profit museum welcomes donations and is located at 235 Anderson Avenue, Coos Bay. There will also be a community “drumming circle,” your chance to make some noise with other drummers. This family-friendly event happens from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 on Second Street between 2 Swans Bakery and Checkerberry’s Flowers & Gifts. This is a community-wide event. Even if you don’t own a drum, participate by bringing a bucket, a box or anything on which you can drum. The festival began as a way to feature local artists and crafters. You can find art, photography, woodworks, soaps, candles, jewelry and more from Pacific Northwest artists and crafters. The festival celebrates the annual harvest of the Blackberry. It takes place at the peak of the Blackberry season on the Oregon Coast. The festival is open from 9am – 6pm on Saturday, August 22nd and 10am to 4pm on Sunday, August 23rd. Visit www.blackberryartsfestival.com.