Blackberry Arts Festival celebrates Coos Bay bounty

The Blackberry Arts Festival showed no signs of slowing down in its 40th year.

The festival, held on Aug. 24 and 25, featured a variety of items for sale by artisans, including paintings, ceramics, sculptures, blown glass, photography and more.

Staying true to its name, patrons could purchase a variety of blackberry goodies, from pies and jams to blackberry sundaes and milkshakes at the Blackberry Arts Festival.

Community members were also invited to take part in an “It’s All Berry Good” recipe contest.

The festival was originally formed to celebrate the bounty of the season and has become one of the most popular events held in Oregon’s Bay Area each year.

The free juried arts festival offered activities centered on Central Avenue in downtown Coos Bay.

This year, 7 Devils Brewing Co. set up an official beer garden during The Blackberry Arts Festival. They offered live music and BBQ in the evenings, and Blackberry drink and dessert specials all weekend.

Music acts featured throughout the weekend included Jack Isenhart, Amber Yester and Ken Graber, Randy Nicholson, Keeley Whitney, and Neil Gregory Johnson.