Thar she blows
Every summer, Garibaldi gets in gear and throws one of the Oregon Coast's biggest hometown celebrations. This Friday through Sunday, July 24 through 26, the 66th Annual Garibaldi Days returns with a parade, live music, fireworks, family activities and more.
With this year's theme of "Finding Garibaldi: Dive Into the Adventure," the hometown festival will once again transform the Tillamook Bay community into a celebration of coastal life. Set against the backdrop of one of the Oregon Coast's busiest working harbors, Garibaldi Days blends longtime traditions with activities for all ages and typically draws an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 visitors.
Festival highlights include the Saturday parade along Highway 101 beginning at 11 am, featuring community organizations, classic vehicles and colorful floats. The festival also includes a classic car show, artisan vendors, food booths and displays from local businesses, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to browse, shop and sample local flavors throughout the weekend.
Families will find plenty to do at the Family Zone in Lumberman's Park, where bounce houses, face painting and children's entertainment will keep younger festivalgoers busy. The weekend also includes Coast Guard appreciation activities and the always-popular Water Ball Challenge, in which local volunteer fire departments face off in a friendly but competitive battle using high-powered fire hoses to push a suspended ball toward their opponents.
Saturday evening's entertainment shifts to the waterfront stage with a pair of tribute bands. Nirvana tribute band Nevermind takes the stage at 5 pm, followed by Tom Petty tribute band Petty Fever at 8 pm. As darkness falls over Tillamook Bay, the evening concludes with one of the festival's signature events as fireworks light up the waterfront.
Visitors traveling from elsewhere on the North Coast can leave the car behind by riding the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad shuttle from Rockaway Beach to Garibaldi for Saturday's parade, providing a scenic trip along the coast while avoiding event parking.
Garibaldi Days happenings run from 10 am to 5 pm Friday, 10 am to 9 pm Saturday and 10 am to 2 pm Sunday. For more information, go to the Garibaldi Days page on Facebook.