A Summer of Celebration for the City's 150th Birthday

The City of Coos Bay turned 150 in 2024. The official term for this is Sesquicentennial but we just called it a Big Party - all summer long! 

From May to October, events happening all over the city were part of the big birthday celebration, culminating with a party on Saturday, October 26th at the Coos History Museum. Our birthday bash was quite the celebration, with over 250 in attendance. The weather held out long enough to enjoy spending time with so many members of our community and listening to the band. With hot dogs and pretzels, Graveyard Pop and cupcakes, and a painting activity and Coast Guard water demonstration, the day was full. We were fortunate to hear from Chief Doug Barrett of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians as he shared some history about the area, followed by Representative Shelley Estes of the Coquille Indian Tribe who shared many memories and history from her family’s generational place in Coos Bay. Steve Grief, local historian and retired North Bend school teacher, shared a rich history of Coos Bay, starting with the development of Marshfield. The Coos History Museum, including Director Heather Christenbury and her team, were excellent hosts.

Thank you to everyone who participated, with special thanks to:

• Coos History Museum
• Coquille Indian Tribe
• Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
• Steve Greif, local historian
• Tracy Pierce of NW Natural
• Local service organizations who helped with meal service: United Way, Zonta, Kiwanas, Lions Club, Rotary, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and Coos Bay Downtown Association
• Oregon Coast Culinary Institute
• So it Goes Coffeehouse
• Ladybread Bakery
• Graveyard Pop
• 7 Devils Brewing
• Josie’s Art Lab
• Blue Tide Blues Band
• US Coast Guard
• Big Tents and Events
• World Stage Lighting
• Coos Bay Village Merchants
• Coos Bay-North Bend-Charleston Visitor and Convention Bureau
• Coos Bay Downtown Association
• Community Coalition of Empire

Other community celebrations included:

• Mayfly Festival (May 18, 11am-3pm, Mingus Park)
• Juneteenth (June 18, 19, 21, multiple locations)
• July 4th Celebration & Fireworks (July 4th, Mingus Park and Boardwalk)
• July Wine Walk (July 5, 5pm-7pm, Downtown and Coos Bay Village)
• Oregon Coast Music Festival (July 13-27, multiple venues)
• Dolphin Playhouse's presentation of “The Hollering Place Radio Show- Celebrating the 150 Year History of Coos Bay” (July 12-14 and 19-21, The Dolphin Playhouse)
• National Night Out (August 6, 6-9pm, Ed Lund Park in Empire and Eastside Park in Eastside)
• Music on the Bay (August 8, 15, 22, 29, September 5 & 12, Mingus Park) 
• Coos Art Museum 40th Anniversary (August 11, 11am-5pm , Coos Art Museum)
• Blackberry Arts Festival (August 24 9am-6pm and August 25 10am-4pm, Downtown)
• Bay Area Fun Festival, with Cruz the Coos and Prefontaine Memorial Run (September 21-22, Downtown)