Seas the day in Waldport

By Barbara B. Covell

For the TODAY

StrangeBrewBand takes to the stage from 8-10 pm on Saturday at the Moose Lodge

A classic coastal event returns this weekend with a fresh, family-forward focus and the theme, “Seas the Day!” Waldport’s Beachcomber Days, now in its 65th year, will take place on Friday and Saturday, July 2 and 3, in the community where the “Forest Meets the Sea.”

The event is packed with entertainment and events for all ages. Friday night’s activities are teen-oriented and Saturday is filled with fun for the whole family.

“It’s all about kids,” says Tammy Abele, president of the nonprofit Beachcomber Days organization and planning committee. “And we wanted to be sure this year’s event would give back to the community, especially after this past year.”

Abele said that though many of the details could not be put in place until the last 60 days, much of the infrastructure already existed. Abele, along with Tianne Rios, the group’s secretary/treasurer, and vice president Greg Holland, who is also Waldport’s mayor, kicked into action with a volunteer pool of 30. The result is a stellar lineup of fun for all ages, combining much-loved traditional Beachcomber Days events with new activities to please everyone.

Friday evening begins at 6:30 pm with the mayor’s proclamation, crowning of royalty and presentation of scholarships. This year’s royalty court has five members, all 11th- and 12th-grade students who vie for the scholarships. The king or queen crowned will win $1,000 and other awards are given at that time.

“Each member of the royalty court writes an essay on a given topic and presents it to the committee,” Rios said. “The Beachcomber Days committee are judges for the competition.”

Royalty members also sell tickets for the popular community treasure chest raffle. All monies generated from sales go toward the scholarships.

“The scholarship program is the main reason for Beachcomber Days,” Rios said. “One third of our operating budget goes toward it and the rest goes toward entertainment, licensing and insurance.”

After the scholarship presentation there is a DJ dance party, soda party and, at 10:30 pm, a drive-in movie by the Waldport Community Center. Lawn chairs will be set up in the front and the back area is for cars. The featured movie is “Jumanji The Next Level.”

Sponsorships have helped make the packed schedule possible.

“Everything is free,” Abele said. “We want to bring joy to our community.

There are also plans for more drive-in movies every other Friday all summer.

Saturday’s events begin at 9 am with the Car, Bike and Truck Show with music provided by Steve Cook and the Literacy Center Ukulele Group, followed at 10 am by the Strawberry Shortcake Festival. At the Main Stage, local band performances begin with Chandler and the Drum Circle, followed by Kluster Func at 11 am, Weird Science at 2 pm, Kreau at 5:30 and Strange Brew Band at 8 pm.

A beer garden will be next to the Main Stage.

The very popular parade begins at noon, with a temporary shutdown of Highway 101 as it comes through downtown Waldport. This year’s parade has 30 entries, promising a diverse and entertaining family experience.

The vendor fair will run from 10 am to 5 pm and feature a variety of artisans and food choices. The Kid Zone is conveniently located adjacent, with games such as a scavenger hunt, cake walk, fishing booth, toilet paper and milk jug toss, rock painting and more. The Waldport High School Timber Club competition show runs from 1 to 4 pm, with principal Amy Skirvin as the MC. Also at 1 pm is the Yachats Big Band at the community center. Jeff Garcia, the Zen Bubble Master, performs from 6 to 8 pm, close to the Main Stage.

Closing ceremonies will be at 10 pm, followed by fireworks at Alsea Bay. At 10:30 pm, the Sol FireDancers will amaze and delight the crowd.

COVID protocols will include a vaccination site, courtesy of Lincoln County Public Health.

“Special thanks go to the City, the main sponsor of Beachcomber Days,” Abele said. “We are already planning for next year. It will be on Father’s Day weekend. And we always need volunteers for this year, and next, as well.”

For more information on events and a map of locations, go to beachcomber days.com.