This Saturday is spoke-n for

Beach, Bike & Blues caps off summer in Waldport

Steve Rumrill gives Rick Hill a ride ahead of this year’s Beach, Bike & Blues festival

There will be brews, there will be bikes, there will be blues — there will even be bites. All to be enjoyed outdoors next to the beach along Alsea Bay at Waldport’s annual Beach, Bike & Blues Festival this Saturday, Sept. 13.

The festival ran for many years in the spring to coincide with a gravel bike ride that was held on the forest roads in and near the town.

“We finally decided to change the date because May is so unpredictable, weather-wise,” said event co-organizer Katie Nance. “Last year, people were actually getting hypothermia, it was gnarly.”

But bikes are now more, rather than, less a part of the festival thanks to the good people at the Green Bikes Co-op.

“The cool part is with the venue layout, every person coming to the festival will pass the Green Bikes area,” Nance said. “It’s shining a light on one of the bright spots of the community.”

Though most of the activities planned by the co-op volunteers will be in the event space, short rides around the west side of the town in a restored pedi-cab will also be on offer.

“The original idea was to give people rides to and from their cars,” said co-op volunteer Rick Hill. “But we will also give short rides on Maple Street. We won’t be driving people home, though.”

In the event space, many activities are planned for all ages.

“In one area there will be a kids’ safety course with little bikes for kids to use,” Hill said. “Then we will have a stationary bike where people can compete to see how fast they can go. We will also have a ‘How slow can go’ contest where people will ride a bike through traffic cones to see how slow they can go without putting their foot down. We will have bikes for sale through a silent auction process.”

The co-op, founded in 2006 as a bike share program, has evolved to include used bike repair, bike sales and repair training for the community. It outgrew its original building and is still growing strong.

“We’re up to 18 volunteers,” Hill said. “It’s really taking off.”

The music lineup is headlined by Cascade Blues Association “Muddy Award” winners Sonny Hess, Lisa Mann and Kelly Pierce.

Paul Schuytema will start the day with Old-Time Blues, followed by Whole Lotta Louis and the PDX Preachers Blues Band.

The music will wrap up with a special late addition.

“We get incredible support and help every year from Angell Job Corps with setup, take down and making the space look beautiful,” Nance said. “This year a handful of students and one of its teachers will be doing an African Drum Circle at the end of the event.”

Bites will include BBQ alongside sweet treats from Chubby Lil’ Mermaid, ice-cream sandwiches from JillyBeanz, fish & chips from Fishing Rock Eatery and other options from Café Chill.

The brews will include four varieties from Rogue Brewery, along with other beverage options like Pepsi products, wine and hard seltzer.

A vendor fair will offer local products in a wide variety, even vintage saxophones from Brass Foghorn.

Inside the Alsea Bay Bridge Visitor Center and Museum guests will find Beach, Bike & Blues merchandise, locally crafted gifts, free area information and historical displays featuring artifacts and photos recognizing Waldport’s Native American heritage and early days. The center also features murals and information of every bridge that spans the 363-mile Oregon coastal rivers and bays.

New to Waldport is ADA beach access featuring Mobi-Mats that are safe and easy surfaces for wheelchairs, walkers, strollers and other mobility devices. Dogs on leashes are welcome.

Among the many events taking place in Waldport throughout the year, Beach, Bike & Blues is a favorite for many locals, including Waldport Chamber of Commerce Director Tom Fullmer.

“I think it’s going to be even more wonderful this year,” Nance said. “So much rides on what a wonderful person Tom is. He just makes everything he’s involved with fun and this is one of the best examples of that.”

The festival runs from noon to 7 pm this Saturday, Sept. 13, along the Alsea Bay Bridge Visitor Center and Museum, located at 320 NW Hwy. 101 at the south end of the Alsea Bay Bridge.