This weekend’s spoke-n for
Gear up for Beach, Bike & Blues in Waldport
By Barbara B. Covell
For the TODAY
It’s the largest blues music festival on the Oregon Coast and makes Waldport a hot destination spot. The second annual Beach, Bike & Blues Festival, on Saturday, May 6, is a draw for avid cyclists, music lovers and those who just want to enjoy the spectacular beaches that Waldport offers. And, it’s free.
Sponsored by Pioneer Connect, the City of Waldport and Lincoln County, this event promises to offer something for everyone. Tom Fullmer, executive director of the Waldport Chamber of Commerce, said he expects a minimum of 1,000 visitors in the span of seven hours.
“This day is a real celebration for this town,” he said. “The music and food will be amazing in addition to the Oregon Coast Gravel Epic bike race that begins and ends here.”
This year’s festival will feature six hours of blues with Depoe Bay’s old-time blues master Paul Schuytema as the opening act.
“Paul’s guitar and vocals were such a hit last year that we wanted him to kick off this year’s event,” Fullmer said.
Following Schuytema is the Central Coast favorite Blue Variant with Greg Ernst on guitar and vocals, Ken Mergentime, harmonica and vocals, Eddy Campy, bass and vocals and Jay Arce, drums and vocals.
The lineup continues with the popular Portland trio Sonny Hess, Lisa Mann and Kelly Piece. And this year’s closing act will showcase the returning Beach, Bike & Blues Festival band with Curtis Colt, Steve Cook, Jim Hobbs and a few surprise performers.
More than 20 vendors will be offering jewelry, crafts, gifts and vacation getaways. Commemorative beer glasses, wine tumblers, magnets and other swag will also be available for purchase. Food trucks will be plentiful, spotlighting the popular Lazy Dayz Cafe, Filipino Treats, Game Thyme Food and Chubby Lil’ Mermaid. Also featured is the locally roasted Catalina’s Coffee from Café Chill and the Waldport Irish Booster Club will have hot dogs and other goodies for both kids and adults.
The big tent pavilion at the festival site will be twice the size of last year.
“We had a lot of wind and rain, so we want to be prepared,” Fullmer said. “All of the music, vendors and the Beachcrest Brewing beer garden will be located within the pavilion.
Also there will be perimeter fencing at the festival site, located at the Alsea Bay Bridge Visitor Center and Museum.”
The festival is a boon for local businesses, restaurants and galleries. Hotels, RV parks and campgrounds in the vicinity fill to capacity.
“It’s a way for us to get the whole community involved and build on Waldport’s identity,” Fullmer said.
The event also features the Oregon Coast Gravel Epic bike race, now in its 11th year. This endurance event offers cyclists a choice of two courses: the 60-mile Abomination or the 37-mile Son of Abomination. Both races traverse through the stout hills of the Siuslaw National Forest, offering spectacular beauty and challenging courses. Mike Ripley of Mudslinger Events, which host cycling events throughout Oregon, said the Gravel Epic attracts both enthusiasts as well as hardcore riders.
“Both courses are on Forest Service roads with long, sustained climbs and loose gravel descents,” he said. “Some areas are smooth but have moss and pine needles that can be slick. The Abomination route climbs to 6,500 feet and the Son of Abomination loop traverses to 4,000 feet.”
Ripley said that there will be two or three fully stocked aid stations with plenty of volunteer support, including the Lincoln County Auxiliary (ham radio) Group. He expects 400 participants with the average age being upper 40s to low 50s. The race begins and ends in Waldport. The hours are from 9 am to 1 pm, followed by an awards ceremony at 1:30 pm.
Whether you bike or just want to hear the blues, the end reward is the beautiful beaches of Waldport.
The festival runs from noon until 7 pm outside of the Alsea Bay Bridge Visitor Center & Museum, 320 NW Hwy. 101. Admission is free and coupons for local business discounts valid throughout May will be given to everyone who comes into the gate. Leashed dogs are welcome and the festival is ADA accessible.
For more information, go to findyourselfinwaldport.com.