The annual 2011 Sand Master Jam is coming up fast!!  The Sand Master Park in Florence Oregon is hosting the longest running sandboard competition in the world… the Sand Master Jam! If you haven’t reserved lodging yet, here is a link for Florence vacation rental info.

This year will offer something very special above and beyond the exciting sandboard competition. World Sand Sculpt champion, Bill Dow, will be giving free sand sculpting lessons right here at Sand Master Park all day to all those interested in learning this fascinating art! But that’s not all… Three Rivers Casino is hosting and sponsoring the Big Air segment right at the casino itself to tie in a total area event for SAND LOVERS of all sorts!

Rail slides, slalom, drag races, sand sculpting and BIG AIR…

Saturday, July 16th~ the Jam will kick off at 2:00pm at Three Rivers Casino with crazy sandboard jumps and then will move on for slalom and drags and wind up at Sand Master Park for the final segment… rail slide competition.
But that’s not all…

Sunday, July 17th~ team sand sculpting competition for all those who learned the day before and wish to apply their new skills on sand. All of this is FREE! (No cost to participate or spectate)

If you are interested in competing at sandboarding OR learning to sand sculpt and can put together a team of three people to build your sand master piece call Sand Master Park and register ASAP!!

This Oregon Coast event information is provided by:

Sand Master Park
5351 Hwy 101
Florence, OR USA 97439
541.997.6006

~ Thanks & have fun AT THE BEACH!

Photo by~Patsy Schuyler Ball

It was 200 years ago, in 1811, that John Jacob Astor’s fur trading company laid claim to the area. Since then the city has transformed from a fur trader’s post to a bustling cannery town to a busy World War II hub and then to a popular tourist destination.

Come and join the fun at Astoria’s opening weekend of its 200th Birthday! If lodging in the Astoria area is booked up, concider staying in at Seaside beach rental… it’s just about a 20 min drive away.

Bicentennial Events~ Opening Weekend May 20-22, 2011

Tall Ships Adventure Sails ~ Sail on the Lady Washington or Hawaiian Chieftain for a three-hour family-oriented Adventure Sail. Features a living history experience with demonstrations of tall ship handling, sea shanty singing, and maritime storytelling. Tickets & more info available here.

Heritage Fair ~ Celebrating Astoria’s cultural diversity with food, music, dance performances, art, jewelry, weaving, horse & wagon rides, kids activity tent. Family friendly events all day…

• 9:30 a.m. - Fort Vancouver Pipe Band
• 10:30 a.m. – Portland Taiko (International Japanese Drummers)
• 11:30 a.m. - NW Lion Dancers
• 12:30 p.m. - Riverwalk Parade to 17^th Street Plaza
• 1 –p.m. – Scandinavian Dancers
• 2 –p.m. Kaleinani O ke kukui-Hula Halau Dancing Demonstration
• Birthday cupcakes
• 3- p.m. The Squeezer & the Geezer - Coreen Bergholm & Ken Presthus
• 3:45 p.m. – Wilho Saari –Finnish Kantele
• 4:15 p.m. – Mariachi Band
• Portland Taiko- Toro TK Footsteps

No Entry Fee! Items for sale by individual vendors 9:30 am – 5 pm

Location: Sunset Empire Transit Center Parking Lot, on Marine Drive between 9th, 10th Astor & Bond Streets

This is just the beginning of many fun events to enjoy… For more information on bicentennial events: www.astoria200.org

~ Thanks & have fun AT THE BEACH!

Video by Cody Cha 2010

~ 27th Annual Summer Kite Festival in Lincoln City Oregon~ June 25th & 26th 2011

• Location~ D-River State Wayside
• Time~  10am to 4pm both days

Lincoln City isn’t just known for it’s exceptional ocean front vacation rental choices… it’s named by Kitelines Magazine as one of the best places to fly kites in North America, celebrates with three kite festivals each year, two outdoors and one indoors. Situated on the 45th parallel, Lincoln City is positioned at the ideal point for mixing warm equatorial air and cold polar air, which creates ideal winds for outdoor flying. In addition, the clean air flowing directly off the ocean is preferred by kite flying experts, and novices will see a difference in their abilities as well.

This year’s theme is Lincoln City ROKS “ROCKIN THE ROKKAKU!” A celebration of both professional and leisure kite fliers with some of the most colorful big “show kites” in the world.

• 10am Opening Announcements10am – 2pm Free Kite Making for Kids
• 10am – 12pm Featured Sport Kitefliers and Large Kite Fliers
• 12pm Running of the Bols
• 1pm-2pm Rokkaku Mega Fly
• 2pm Kids Parade
• 2:30pm-4pm Featured Sport Kitefliers and Large Kite Fliers continues
• 4pm Closing

Kite Festival Schedules are subject to circumstances beyond control, including weather. Times are approximate.

For more information visit OregonCoast.org - Lincoln City Visitor’s Center

801 SW Hwy 101, Suite 401, Lincoln City, Oregon  97367
(541) 996-1274 • 1-800-452-2151

~ Thanks and have fun AT THE BEACH!

This article from The Tillamook Headlight Herald features some quick facts for Spring Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast & where to find some great spots for viewing…

Photo Credits ~ The Tillamook Headlight Herald

As they make their annual 12,000-mile return voyage from Mexico to Alaska, gray whales can be spotted every spring off the coastal bluffs of Tillamook County.

About 18,000 whales will pass by the Oregon coast during the months of March through June, on their way to Alaska’s Bering Sea. Trained volunteers will be on-site at certain locations in throughout the week of March 19 – 26, to answer questions and help whale watchers spot the gray whales’ telltale spout.

The Whale Watching Spoken Here volunteers will be manning stations, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout the week at 26 locations along the Oregon coast. In Tillamook County, volunteers can be found at the Neahkahnie Mountain Overlook, Cape Meares Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint, Cape Lookout State Park and the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area.

Juvenile whales will pass by first, followed by adults. Last are the mothers and babies, who were born in the winter off of Mexico’s warm, calm bays.

Many of the whales will come close to shore to feed on Oregon’s great food supply, according to the Whale Watching Spoken Here website. In April and May, the mothers and calves may be seen resting in protective coves close to shore.

For more information on Spring Whale Watch Week, how to spot whales and a map of whale watching points along the Oregon coast, visit whalespoken.org.

Plan your next beach vacation in an Oregon Coast vacation rental and don’t forget to bring your binoculars

~ Thanks & have fun AT THE BEACH!

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!

Shore Acres State Park is a beautiful landscaped area and formal garden perched high above the pacific ocean on the southern Oregon Coast. It’s located 13 miles SW of Coos Bay off Hwy 101. Every year this park turns into an amazing magical display of holiday lights… this year featuring over 300,000 LED lights!

Beginning Thanksgiving Day through December 31, you can walk through the garden and enjoy hot cider and cookies at the Garden House. It has become a great family tradition for many so reserve your vacation rental on the Southern Oregon Coast now!

Shore Acres State Park~ Grants Getaways 2009
*The lights shine 4-9:30 pm daily through December 31

A new 2010 display will be featured this year… a lighted model of The Western Shore (also known as The Oregon Clipper) a flagship from a fleet of tall ships owned by Captain Asa Simpson who built a lumber shipping empire along with his sons. One of the sons, Louis J Simpson built the private estate which is now Shore Acres State Park. The large mansion on the estate is long gone, but the restored five-acre garden is the heart of today’s park. The holiday lights version of this ship was built by welding instructor Ray Daniels for the Friends of Shore Acres. It stands 11 feet long with a 12 foot high mast and boasts 3,000 lights!

Shore Acres Holiday Lights began in 1987 with 6,000 miniature lights strung by the Friends of Shore Acres. Vibrant, energy-saving LED lights have replaced the originals, and the show has grown from a community affair into a nationally publicized event. Around 50,000 people visit annually. More than 1,500 volunteers make it happen.

You will need a state park day-use parking permit ($5 daily). Be sure to visit the garden caretaker’s house for a cup of hot cider.

For more information contact: Shore Acres State Park (541) 888-3732
Co-Chair Shirley & David Bridgham (541) 756-5401, bridgham@epuerto.com

~ Thanks & have fun AT THE BEACH!

Courtesy of~ The Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau

October 16, 2010 through Memorial Day 2011 ~ Lincoln City Finders Keepers will begin its annual event where Hand-Crafted Glass Treasures will be placed along the 7-1/2 miles of public beach, from the Roads End area to the Cutler City area. Reserve your lodging for Lincoln City early and join this fun search for treasure every year!

Each year, more than 2000 signed and numbered handcrafted glass floats are hidden along Lincoln City’s beach for lucky beachcombers to find and keep. They hide about 65 each week (a few each day) ocean and weather permitting.

Floats may be found above the high tide line and below the beach embankment. Floats will not be found in or on the cliffs & they are not hidden on the beaches during storms. Please be aware of beach safety

You find it… you keep it! When you find one of these glass treasures, call the Visitor and Convention Bureau at 1-800-452-2151 or 541-996-1274 to register your float.  They will send a Certificate of Authenticity and information about the artists who crafted your treasure.

Finders Keepers started in 1999 to celebrate the millennium as well as to commemorate a history of finding Japanese glass fishing floats on the beach, some of which having floated in the Pacific for over 30 years. *If you don’t find a float… you can blow your own at the Jennifer Sears Glass Art Studio www.lcglasscenter.com

• For more information visit www.OregonCoast.org
• Weather and ocean permitting call ahead for more info: 541-996-1274 or toll free 800-452-2151
• NEW Visitor’s Center!
  540 NE Hwy 101, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

~ Thanks & have fun AT THE BEACH!

October is a great time of year to visit the Washington Coast during it’s quiet season… so come & celebrate the Long Beach Peninsula’s bounty at this special event during it’s 90th year!  You will want to plan lodging in Long Beach area for this popular festival now.

The Cranberrian Fair, A Harvest Festival celebrates the history and harvest of America’s native fruit and all of the rich food resources of the Long Beach Peninsula.  While cranberries take center stage for this event oysters, fishing and garden harvests will also be presented.

There will be plenty for all to see and do… the Cranberry Trolley will whisk visitors from from the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum to the Pacific Coast Cranberry Research Foundation & Cranberry Museum. Browse the Museum’s gift shop which is stocked with cranberry goodies and watch the harvest on Friday October 8th through Sunday October 10.

Silver & Bronze Medal Winner, KW Cellars of Walla Walla, WA  holds a  wine tasting of their 100% cranberry juice wine. Snacks and lunch can be purchased from Beach House Catering from 11:00 – 3:00 on Friday Saturday and Sunday. While you eat enjoy jazz, classical and just plain fun music by local pianist Tom Trudell.

• ~Cranberry Trolley
• ~Bog Tours
• ~Wine Tasting
• ~Art
• ~Music
• ~Local Foods
• ~Vendors & Crafters

Hood to Coast… “The Mother of All Relays” is the largest relay in the world!  The starting line begins on the majestic Mount Hood and includes 197 miles of awesome scenery leading to the beautiful Pacific Ocean. If you take part in this fun event, you can fund-raise for the charity of your choice… experience an adventure of a lifetime… and enjoy a huge finish party awaiting you on the beach in Seaside Oregon!

Office Max Hood to Coast Relay – August 27 & 28

• 29th Annual Year
• 197 Miles
• 12,000 Runners
• 3,500 Volunteers

The finishing celebration will include a food garden, a beer & wine garden (open 11am-10:30pm), music by ‘Break As We Fall’ (1pm-4pm) and headliner ‘Hit Machine’ from 6:45pm-11pm! Vendor freebies, team pictures, and more!

• “Best Of’” Winners Announcement -  5:50pm 8/28
• PTC Walk/High School Challenge Awards – 6pm 8/28
• HTC Awards – 9:30am 8/29

For details and more information visit:  HoodtoCoast.com

~ Thanks & have fun AT THE BEACH!

A Celebration of Food and Wine… an elegant affair for 21 and older

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is preparing for its annual fundraiser Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 6 – 9 pm. The 3rd annual Jellyfish Jubilee; A Celebration of Food and Wine will fill the Aquarium with the aromas, tastes and sounds of exceptional Northwest cuisine, wines, music and a silent auction benefiting the Aquarium’s exhibits and education programs. The all-inclusive event will also provide an opportunity to see the Aquarium’s new Swampland exhibit, which opened Memorial Day weekend, 2010.

If you need lodging and prefer to stay in a private vacation rental during this event, now is the time to reserve.   

Participating restaurants include some of the region’s finest culinary establishments, including Bay 839, The Bay House, Chinook Winds, Georgie’s Beachside Grill, La Maison, Local Ocean Seafoods, Nana’s Irish Pub, Quimby’s, Rogue Brewers on the Bay, Savory Café and Pizzeria, Starfish Grill and Tsunami Coffee & Chocolate Company. Wineries include Adelsheim Vineyard, Duck Pond Cellars, Edenvale Winery, Oak Knoll Winery and Sokol Blosser Winery. Chefs and vintners have been anticipating the opportunity to share their passion for extraordinary food and wine during this unique event surrounded by the shimmering waters of the Aquarium.

The evening will also feature live jazz, animal encounters, interpretive dive presentations and a silent auction which include Romantic Getaways, Golf Packages, a Cruise and so much more….

Please visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium website for detailed information on this event.

~ Thanks & have fun AT THE BEACH!