Summer Events in Rockaway Beach

By Chelsea Yarnell 

Rockaway Beach is known as “Small Town, Big Beach.” The tagline comes from the fact that the village has a population of about 1,400 residents, no stoplights and seven miles of open, sandy beaches.    

“Come to Rockaway Beach because it's welcoming, clean and safe,” Rockaway Beach Mayor Charles McNeilly said. “We love to have visitors. Rockaway Beach makes a great central landing place for a visit on the coast. Go fishing, walking on the beach, rock hounding, bird watching, kayaking or antique shopping. One can put down roots here for a few days for vacation. Let us be your launch pad to explore the area.”

While miles of shoreline and forested trails are natural draws, community summer events also bring visitors to town.

Over the Independence Day weekend, the population of the city balloons to nearly 30,000. 

“Our holiday weekend kicks off with a flyover in the morning and then Rockaway Beach puts on a classic, small-town parade,” McNeilly said. “We have some of the best small-town floats around. They’re all handmade with heart and soul and that’s what makes them even more fun.”

Following the parade is the world-famous Firecracker Wiener Nationals Wiener Dog Races. This unique holiday tradition, now in its 18th year, will be hosted at the Phyllis Baker Park in Rockaway Beach beginning at 1 pm. The races are free to attend, but proceeds from t-shirt sales as well as their “couple buck” hotdogs are donated back to the Tillamook Animal Shelter.

“Every year the number of people that go to the races grows,” McNeilly said. “What’s really great about it is that it’s a fundraiser. Not only did you go to something fun like watching cute little wiener dogs race their hearts out, but it helps a good cause.”

Independence Day in Rockaway Beach concludes with a professional fireworks show at the Wayside. 

“Anybody who’s experienced it knows that it’s one of the best,” McNeilly said. “I’m told that fewer and fewer coastal towns are doing fireworks shows. We’re one of the last and it’s iconic and important to our community. It brings a lot of people to town and is a beautiful, spectacular event.” 

While the fireworks show on the beach is popular, McNeilly wants to remind the community and visitors that setting off any type of personal fireworks is illegal in Rockaway Beach. Oregon Parks and Recreation also prohibits fireworks on the beach.

Fast forward to August, the Neah-Kah-Nie Coast Cultural Foundation is hosting the first annual Rockaway Beach Music Festival. The free, two-day event, happening August 16 and 17, will feature live performances from GlitterFox, members of Typhoon, Mitch Whitaker, Mercury Coast, The Deadlines and Nik Xandir Wolf. In addition to live music, there will be local food booths, interactive art exhibits and local artists and artisans displaying their crafts. Admission is free, but VIP seating is available by donation. Proceeds from tickets and gear sales will benefit the foundation’s mission.

“Their organization raises money for scholarships for high school kids that are going to go get additional training in the arts,” McNeilly said. “I’m really excited about this event because it’s a terrific idea to provide entertainment, draw people into our town to help our merchants and restaurants and also do something good for the community and students that want to pursue the arts. One of their big projects is to raise money to build a recording studio at Neah-Kah-Nie High School.”

For a full lineup, schedule and VIP tickets, go to rbmusicfest.com.

Rounding out the summer events is the 49th Annual Rockaway Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Kite Festival. The three-day event, happening September 12 to 14, brings the American Kite Flyers Association to town for professional kite-flying shows performed on the beach. 

“They have contests, do trainings and kids get to have a lot of fun,” McNeilly said. “And of course, there’s food, music and an array of vendors and artists.” 

Regardless of when you visit, Rockaway Beach extends a warm welcome.

“Whether it’s to experience a music festival, kite-flying festival or to attend events on July 4,” McNeilly said. “all of these events are to attract people to come to our community to support our merchants, restaurants and business community.” 

To plan your trip, go to visitrockawaybeach.org.