NEWPORT, Oregon – Perhaps the single biggest festival on the Oregon coast is coming soon… the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival is happening February 25, 26, and 27, 2011. If you are looking for last minute  lodging, try this quick & easy way…  copy your request to all vacation rental owner/managers in the Newport area in one email! Click on the blue request availability button located just above the listings: Newport & South Beach vacation rental info

The last weekend of every February, the central Oregon coast resort town of Newport swells with well over 17,000 visitors coming to the festival for a weekend of wine, wonders in the culinary world, seafood and arts & crafts. Last year’s festival reached a record 19,000 visitors.

The theme this year is Hollywood & Vine “Take 34″

32 food vendors, 24 crafters and 85 wineries will be found at this enormous festival. A large variety of craft items will be sold, from articles of clothing, jewelry, art glass, metal sculptures, works of art and hand-painted ceramics to handcrafted wine accessories.

Among the wineries are Oregon coast favorites like Nehalem Bay Winery and Flying Dutchman Winery, along with northwest big names like Amity, Abiqua, Hauer of the Dauen, Hip Chicks Do Wine, Oak Knoll Winery, Eola Hills Wine Cellars and Silver Falls Vineyards, among hundreds of others.

For food, you’ll find crepes, smoked fish, chowder, Hawaiian goodies, candies, oysters, sushi, burgers and pizza, among a number of other delights.

Festival Hours and Gate Prices:

Friday, February 25 – 2 pm to 9 pm $10 ticket price
Saturday, February 26 - 10 am to 6 pm $15 ticket price
Sunday, February 27  - 10 am to 4 pm $5 ticket price
Please note that ticket prices do not reflect a handling fee

Advance group tickets are also on sale, allowing larger groups a special entrance. Groups of 15 or more can call the Chamber office (800-262-7844). Advance e-tickets for individuals are still on sale as well, until they reach their limit.

Ticket prices do not include wine tasting. Food item prices range from $1 and up. Wine sampling starts at $1 and glasses of wine are available for menu price. Bottles and cases of wine are sold by wineries, too!

Location:

The South Beach Marina Parking Lot, near the Rogue Ales Warehouse, 2320 OSU Drive,  just south of downtown Newport

• Parking is available at the festival site for $5.00
• Free shuttle buses (including extended Saturday evening hours!) will run on a regular schedule from downtown Newport and major hotels. Maps are available at local businesses and at the Chamber
• Cab service is also available for a nominal fee

• You must be 21 years or older to attend this event and must have valid ID (no exceptions)
• The site is smoke free and handicapped accessible

This information is provided by the Newport Chamber of Commerce.  Visit their website to view a full list of food, wine and crafts vendors.

~ Thanks & have fun AT THE BEACH!

Here’s a great article from Vacations by the Sea, Wesport WA vacation rentals…  It tells of an amazing shipwreck discovery found on the Washington Coast!  While there, you can discover a great vacation destination as well.. Vacations by the Sea offers beautiful ocean front and ocean view  1 and 2 bedroom condos, a  swimming pool and clubhouse… plus pet friendly units that will accommodate your furry friend too!

The Washington and Oregon Coast are home to many treasures. A coastal storm over New Years caused additional erosion at Washaway beach and uncovered a bit of history that has caused lots of excitement here on the South Beach, an old shipwreck. About 100′ long with massive timbers and iron spikes joining it together, it was found by a local beachcomber and word quickly spread about this old South Beach Treasure. According to the Daily World, many believe the ship is the Canadian Exporter, a freighter that lost its way in fog and ran aground in 1921 at the mouth of Willapa Harbor. Salvage operations failed to remove it and it broke apart shortly afterwords to be lost to the Sea, until now.

Safety first! The county has posted “no trespassing” signs and built a sand barricade to prevent car/truck access where the road has washed away. Due to the unstable conditions of the terrain, be careful of your footing to get to the beach, know when the tides are coming and going, and don’t get caught out there in a storm. Be careful around the wreck as many trees are tangled up in the spars and the footing can be dangerous. Be safe & enjoy this treasure!

For more information on the Grayland Shipwreck visit: Vacations by the Sea

~ Thanks & have fun AT THE BEACH!