Press release from Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce:
Press Release:
Event Location: Willow Springs
The 2026 Bear City Fall Festival was a huge success, bringing large crowds, more than 150 vendor
spaces, seven contests, new attractions and plenty of energy to downtown Willow Springs on
Saturday October 3.
The weather could not have been better, and visitors came out in large numbers throughout the day to
shop with vendors, enjoy great food, listen to live entertainment, participate in contests and simply
enjoy a beautiful fall day together in Willow Springs.
The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped
make this year’s festival such a success; our vendors, sponsors, performers, volunteers, contest
participants, community organizations, city crews and the visitors who came out to support the event.
It truly takes an entire community to put on an event of this size, and Willow Springs once again
showed what can happen when everyone comes together.
This year’s festival included several new attractions, including Mater Barrel Train rides, which were a
hit with the young festival-goers, and the Willow Springs Fire Department Duck Races in Safety Town.
The festival also featured seven contests that brought out plenty of creativity and friendly competition.
The biggest hit of the day may have been the Bear City Blow-Up Contest, which drew a large crowd,
eight competitors and two crazy chickens who ran the show. Whether people were competing or
simply watching from the sidelines, everyone was laughing, cheering and having a great time. It was
one of those moments that perfectly captured the fun and lighthearted spirit of the Bear City Fall
Festival.
Emcees Myles Smith and Stephanie Beltz-Price of Howell-Oregon Electric kept the crowds informed
and entertained throughout the day, helping keep the energy high from morning until the festival
wrapped up. Opening ceremonies included a special tribute by American Legion Post #384, which
retired an old and tattered American flag in a moving flag retirement ceremony.
From the first visitors of the morning to the final activities of the afternoon, downtown Willow Springs
was filled with people, laughter and excitement. It was a great day in Willow Springs, and the 2026
Bear City Fall Festival was one to remember!
The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce congratulates all of this year’s contest winners and thanks
everyone who participated. Whether you competed, sold, performed, volunteered, sponsored,
attended or simply came out to enjoy the day, you were part of what made the 2026 Bear City Fall
Festival special
