Summer is just around the corner-- literally. Grants Pass ' infamous bears are crawling back onto the sidewalks. Along with vibrant murals splashed onto buildings, there are multiple pieces of public art to see downtown. Evergreen Federal Bank engaged with local artists to bring their creative images to life, resulting in Bearfest. These meticulous, life-sized bear statues are composed of fiberglass and have colorful themes that range from a bear couple dancing in the ‘80s to a Latin-inspired bear balancing tropical fruit, and a hiking pair of father and son bears. Josephine County fell in love with this unique idea; Evergreen Federal Bank states that “through Bearfest, over 187 have been created.” Not only do these bears draw people from afar, but they also serve as a charity opportunity for the community. Through auctions, half of the bears have raised over $250,000 for local nonprofits. During the off-season, these statues are exclusively displayed at the Bear Hotel, where their habitats are also created out of art. Anyone who comes across a sunny, free day should take an art stroll in downtown Grants Pass to admire our talented artists.

The weather is finally warming up, and people are coming out of winter hibernation. On the first Friday of summer and spring months, 6th Street downtown opens up to the public. This time of the year is popular for events, popping into restaurants, and boutique sales. Live music often accompanies the upbeat social vibe, and small shops are known to host pop-up businesses. Roughly sixty businesses are involved in the First Friday event, appealing to all customers. Usually, the stroll is accompanied by a variety of art. For example, Visit Grants Pass explains that Sweet Colleen Art can be found at multiple locations, and a free signed print is guaranteed. Families, groups of friends, and sometimes dogs all roam the streets from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. First Friday is the perfect night to meet new people, observe local art pieces, and enjoy fine dining.

With a good amount of rainfall, sunshine, and wind, the flowers have decided to bloom. Along hiking trails, walking paths, yards, and parks, a variety of vibrant plants can be admired in the spring. Cathedral Hills is one of the most popular hiking spots in Grants Pass, due to its mountaintop scenery and easy to vigorous trails. For some peace and quiet, wildlife spotting, and enjoyable exercise, Cathedral Hills has a lot to offer. This month, as the Cathedral Hills website reports, it is peak season for wildlife, with flowers blooming abundantly along each path. Some of the most beautiful flowers to look for are the Warrior's Plume, Henderson's Shooting Star, and Winecup Clarkia. As much as the names sound odd, the species are unique in color, size, and shape. The Warrior's Plume is a vivid magenta spike that grows in clumps as small bushes and can be easily spotted from far away. Similarly, the Henderson's Shooting Star displays a deep lavender, pointing its bud to the ground, which is why it is so recognizable.  Furthermore, the Winecup Clarkia displays small flowers in a light purple. The wildflower variety all blends together into a beautiful painting of reds and purples. These flowers can either be admired or collected into a bouquet.