Have a ball
Garibaldi Days offers a weekend of fun — no pressure
By Emily Lindblom
For the TODAY
Community members and visitors are getting ready to “Seas the Day” at the upcoming Garibaldi Days festivities.
From Friday, July 22, through Sunday, July 24, participants will gather for the town’s 62nd annual parade, live music, a water ball fight, fireworks and more.
Event coordinator Ashley Christensen said there will be many vendors planning to sell handmade gift items and food all weekend.
“It’s a great time for people to walk around, shop and enjoy the coast,” she said.
Garibaldi Days puts on a different theme each year, and this year’s theme, “Seas the Day” honors the shipping and fishing culture of the area.
“Garibaldi is Oregon's authentic fishing village,” Mayor Tim Hall said. “We’re proud of the fact that we have one of the finest ports in the state for fishermen.”
A kid zone will be set up in front of the Garibaldi city offices, with kid-friendly activities and events, including a coloring contest.
Kylie Poklikuha, who is overseeing the event, said the kids’ activities include a touch-a–truck event, where kids can check out a firetruck.
First responders plan to attend the event to answer questions and provide an educational experience. Local pubs and bars are slated to host live music and offer special drinks.
“It’s a great opportunity for people who live in Garibaldi to have fun and visit with neighbors,” Poklikuha said, adding that tourists are more than welcome to join in the festivities, too.
“It's a great thing if someone’s traveling on the coast,” she said, “we encourage people to stop in for the day and spend time in the community.”
For Christensen, it’s a fun opportunity to spend time with family and friends.
“I’m excited to see the wide variety of vendors and bring my kids to a concert in the evening and enjoy fireworks while sitting on a picnic blanket,” she said.
According to Hall, the festival began as a high school reunion many years ago.
“Even to this day a number of high school classes attend Garibaldi Days and spend time together reminiscing about their time in Garibaldi,” he said. “It’s also held to honor the tradition of the city itself.”
Poklikuha said families and high school classes will plan their reunions around the event to link their celebrations with the community’s.
The Garibaldi Oregon Chamber of Commerce originally put on Garibaldi Days before the event was transferred to the local Lions Club and then the City of Garibaldi.
The city received the 2017 Oregon Festivals and Events Association Ovation Award for updating an existing festival, expanding upon it and improving it.
The event was canceled in 2020 and returned as a “light” version in 2021. This year, it’s back in full with all the traditions and new celebrations, too.
The highlight of Garibaldi Days is the parade, often with more than 3,000 people in attendance.
“It’s a big event for the City of Garibaldi and folks look forward to it,” Hall said.
Garibaldi Days includes a tradition of competition. The US Coast Guard sailors from the Tillamook Bay station compete with the fire department volunteer firefighters in a game called water ball. Hall described it as similar to tug-of-war but with the goal of moving a giant ball by spraying it with a hose.
The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad will have train rides running between Garibaldi and Rockaway, and a classic car show will feature vintage cars and hot rods vying for awards for best show and shine.
“It’s a lot of fun for me because as mayor I get to choose one of the vehicles that I think is a good example of hot rods,” Hall said. “I get to choose one of four winners.”
Ribbons are also given out to the best group in the parade.
“The key thing is to try to have a festive atmosphere for residents and visitors to Garibaldi that entire weekend,” Hall said. “Garibaldi is a very special place in Oregon and Garibaldi Days is an opportunity for visitors to come and see what our amazing city has to offer.”
For more information and the full schedule of events, go to visitgaribaldi.org.