They’ve trained for this

All aboard as Beachcomber Days returns to Waldport for a 48th year of fun

By Barbara B Covell

For the TODAY

It’s back again and better than ever. The 68th annual Beachcomber Days will once again bring the community together for a grand weekend of fun, food, games, music and a few surprises, this Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16.

There are many favorites returning this year, according to organizing committee members TiAnne Rios and Tammy Abele.

“Favorite events returning are the Vendors Faire, Kids Faire, Food Court, miniature golf and the popular Car Show,” Rios said. “On Saturday at noon there’s the parade which has always been the anchor entertainment for the entire 68 years of Beachcomber Days. The popular timber shows will feature a Pro-Timber show as well as our own Waldport High School team, who are celebrating their fifth year to win the state championships. Saturday morning is the ‘Nifty Fifty’ Car Show featuring 50 cars at several locations along Highway 34.”

There will be two stages for entertainment: the main stage at Highway 34 and Bay Street and the secondary stage at John Street and Highway 34.

“On Saturday the main stage will have performances from 9 am until midnight with the 7:30 pm headlining acts Reb and the Good News and the Sol Fire Dancers with Tyler Spencer,” Abele said. “Also at 7:30 pm, prior to the headlining act, bring your yellow ticket for a special raffle with exclusive swag, free popcorn, kettle corn, the happy hour with $1 off of drinks and free sodas for the kids. The free yellow tickets can be picked up around town in Waldport businesses and banks.”

On Saturday, the Beachcomber Days Waves and Wonders parade starts at noon with announcer Mac Esposito. At 2:30 pm there’s the announcement of the car show winners and also the parade trophies are awarded.

“Also on Saturday there’s a 9 am breakfast at the Presbyterian Church with all donations going to the Breakfast in a Box program that serves more than 150 in the Waldport community,” Rios said. “At 11 am is the popular strawberry shortcake at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church followed by the Corn Hole tournament at 2 pm. The tournament will raise money for scholarships and veterans. Our reach has expanded throughout Lincoln County. The Lions club of Newport and the Newport Chamber are participating this year. We are thrilled.”

Saturday’s Pro-Timber Show is from 2 to 5 pm at Southworth Park and the Kids Faire is from 1 to 4 pm at WaFd Bank, featuring Recess Outdoor School with bubbles and Magical Mr. B with balloons. There will be two beer gardens, one by the Main Stage from 1 to 11 pm and the other from 1 to 5 pm near the Timber Show. Around town on Saturday, Waldport businesses will have live music at the Chill Cafe and Flounder Inn. The Moose Lodge will host vendors, a beer garden and food booth.

Sunday at 10 am there is a Father’s Day pancake breakfast at the Waldport Community Center, as well as the Vendors Faire and Food Court near the main stage. The popular High School Timber Show is from noon to 3 pm at Southworth Park.

Also on Sunday, the family games are from 1 to 2:30 pm at the Central Coast Fire station, featuring slug races, a watermelon-eating contest and a frozen t-shirt contest, among others.

Live entertainment at the main stage is from 9 am to 3 pm, then the scholarship winners are announced. The beer garden will be at the main stage from 11 am to 3 pm at the main stage parking lot.

What’s new this year?

“There are surprises at the High School Timber Show which promises to be exciting, loud, fast and enthusiastic,” Abele said. “We have more events at Southworth Park because it offers more room to spread out. We are expecting thousands in attendance this year. Music acts will have only one hour each, as opposed to the two hour sets in prior years. The headline acts on Saturday will have longer sets. We are taking it up a notch this year.”

Finally, the parade will have a different routing, ending by turning east at Grand Central Pizza, located at Highway 101 and Starr Street.

For more information, go to beachcomberdays.com.