Comb out for some fun
Join the party at Beachcomber Days in Waldport
Family fun, local pride and heartfelt tributes will reign when Waldport puts on the 69th Annual Beachcomber Days, themed “United By The Sea,” this Saturday, June 14.
This year’s event coincides with Flag Day and will honor veterans with a special tribute during the noon parade. The parade will feature 35 entries, including local floats, marching bands and community groups. The route begins at Crestline Drive and Highway 34, proceeds west on Highway 34, and then heads south on Highway 101.
This year’s parade marshal is Luke Bobeda from Newport Army National Guard. “The Duke” will emcee from the corner of John Street and Highway 34.
The annual Car Show showcases vehicles from all eras, with this year's spotlight beaming on the "Sexy 60s." The show runs from 9 am to 3 pm in the Eager Beaver parking lot and along Hwy. 34.
The Vendor Faire and Food Court will feature 50 local artisans and a variety of food options from 10 am to 5 pm in the Central Coast Fire Department's front parking lot.
In addition to crafts and food, guests can pick up information at booths from the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Navy Sea Cadets and the Girl Scouts.
The Kids Faire, with games and activities for children of all ages, opens at 1 pm and runs to 4 pm in the Central Coast Fire Department rear parking lot. Axe throwing, gigantic Pong and Connect 4 and the toilet paper and milk jug softball tosses are just a few of the fun games on offer.
Next up in the same location are the Family Games from 4 to 6:30 pm. Compete in watermelon eating, a slug race, the wheelbarrow races, the duck regatta or the egg spoon race.
Those aged 21 and older can take breaks and enjoy some extra social time in the Beer Garden from 1 to 11 pm in the Bay Street parking lot.
Live music and entertainment will be happening on two stages.
On the Bay Street Stage, acts include Whole Lotta Louis, EZ Eddy and the Jumpers, Kathy Redwine and Friends and Weird Science.
On the John Street Stage, from 9 am to 3 pm, acts include Steve Cook, Hannah Paysinger and the Seashore Literacy Ukulele Group, or the SLUGS, with a break at noon during the parade.
A special performance by the Pacific Coast Wind Ensemble will begin at 1 pm in the Waldport Community Center parking lot.
The day’s celebration will end with the traditional Sol Fire Dancers and Tyler Spencer at 10 pm at Bay Street and Highway 34.
Guests are encouraged to bring a receipt from any local shop or vendor in Waldport, Tidewater, Yachats or Seal Rock dated June 13 or 14, to the Beachcomber Days Information Booth to enter a raffle to win a glass float crafted locally at the Seal Rock Glass Blowing Shop.
“Our goal is to support our local businesses and this is a way for us to encourage visitors to buy locally,” said Beachcomber Days President Tamara Abele. “It feels really good to support local businesses and local towns. Our vendors are all small businesses in this area.”
If you’d like to thank Abele and some of her fellow board members, you’ll have to move fast.
“On the day of the event,” she said, “we will be running around on our golf carts making sure everything goes well.”
Beachcomber Days will run from 9 am to midnight this Saturday, June 14, in downtown Waldport. For more information, including a detailed schedule of events, go to beachcomberdays.com.