On your barks

Get ready for fun as The Beach Bark returns

A walk on the beach with your dog is already a pretty good way to spend an October morning on the Oregon Coast. Add hamburgers, hot dogs, a colorful Beach Bark T-shirt and the chance to help local pets get emergency veterinary care, and it gets even better.

The annual Beach Bark returns to Lincoln City this Saturday, Oct. 10, bringing dogs, their people and plenty of community spirit to the beach for one of the coast’s favorite grassroots fund-raisers.

The event begins at 10 am sharp at the beach access near Chinook’s Seafood Grill, just south of Chinook Winds Casino Resort.

From there, the rules are refreshingly simple: head south.

Participants — with or without a four-legged walking partner — can stroll as far as they like and leave the beach at the access point of their choosing. Some will opt for a relatively short walk, while others will continue to the NW 15th Street beach access or even farther south to Kyllo’s Seafood & Grill, near the D River.

There’s no race clock, no required distance and no prize for finishing first. The Beach Bark is simply a chance to enjoy the Oregon Coast, spend some time with friends and neighbors — two and four-legged — and support an important local cause.

The event benefits the Beach Bark Fund, which helps provide emergency veterinary care for animals in need, including pets whose owners simply cannot afford an unexpected veterinary bill. The fund is managed by the Central Coast Humane Society.

Anyone who has ever encountered an injured animal, whether hurt by another animal, struck by a vehicle or facing some other emergency, knows how quickly the need for veterinary care can arise. The Beach Bark Fund was created to help ensure that lack of money doesn’t have to be the deciding factor when an animal urgently needs help.

“The Beach Bark is one of those events I look forward to every year,” said Majalise Tolan. “It brings together so many things that make our community special — our beautiful beach, our love of animals and people who are willing to come together to help their neighbors. And it’s just plain fun to see that many happy dogs and people enjoying a morning on the beach together.”

The Beach Bark dates back to 2010, when it was launched by the late Kip Ward, a Lincoln City entrepreneur and hotelier who was well known for his enthusiasm for the community. Ward died several years ago, but the event he started continues as both a fund-raiser and a celebration of the community spirit he championed.

After the walk, the party moves to the Lincoln City Cultural Center, where participants are invited to gather for a picnic from 11 am to 1 pm, weather permitting.

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be on the grill, along with chips and soda. Anyone purchasing a 2026 Beach Bark T-shirt for $40 receives a meal at no additional charge.

Shirts will be available at the starting area Saturday morning and at the cultural center during the picnic. Participants can also pre-order shirts before the event.

Northwest Natural is providing the food for this year’s picnic, and other event sponsors and supporters include Chinook Winds Casino Resort, Oregon Coast TODAY and the Lincoln City Cultural Center.

“Chinook Winds is proud to support the Beach Bark and the work this event makes possible in our community,” said Heather Hatton, public relations director for Chinook Winds Casino Resort. “We love seeing people and their dogs gathering on the beach right here at the resort to have a great time while supporting animals that need a little help. It’s a wonderful Lincoln City tradition, and we’re delighted to be part of it.”

Organizers stress that owning a dog is definitely not a requirement for participating. Dog lovers, beach lovers, families, friends and anyone looking for an excuse to take a Saturday morning walk along the ocean are welcome.

Dogs that do participate should be under their owners’ control, and walkers are encouraged to come prepared for whatever October weather the Oregon Coast decides to provide. At press time, there was a hint of precipitation in the forecast.

Whether participants walk a few blocks or several miles, the idea behind the Beach Bark remains the same as it was when Ward started it more than 15 years ago: have some fun, enjoy the beach and help local animals along the way.

Saturday's walk begins at 10 am at the Chinook’s Seafood Grill beach access on the Chinook Winds Casino Resort property, located at 1777 NW 44th Street in Lincoln City. The post-walk picnic runs from 11 am to 1 pm at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, located at 540 NE Hwy. 101.

For more information, to pre-order a Beach Bark shirt or to make a donation, go to the Beach Bark page on Facebook.