Hands across the bridge in Waldport

Hundreds of community members will link together on the Alsea Bay Bridge in Waldport for the 17th annual Walter Ackerson Jr. Hands Across the Bridge event this Saturday, Sept. 20.

Participants will gather at the parking lot of the Alsea Bay Interpretive Center, and the crossing will begin with drumming by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

A free lunch, speakers, resource tables and family-friendly activities will follow at the Waldport Community Center.

This September marks the 36th anniversary of National Recovery Month. Each year, Lincoln County joins communities around the nation in coming together for a month-long awareness campaign and celebration for those in recovery from mental health and substance use challenges.

This year’s event will feature speaker Rob Bovett, former Lincoln County district attorney and current county counsel for Lane County. Bovett will share the origin of the event and about the memorial for Walter Ackerson Jr.

Saturday’s event begins at 11:30 am at the Alsea Bay Interpretive Center, located at 320 NW Hwy. 101 in Waldport then continues at 12:30 pm at the Waldport Community Center, located at 65 NW Hemlock Street. For more information, go to the Lincoln County Public Health page on Facebook.