Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner

For details please contact the Chamber office. 541-271-3495
 

Dune Musher's Mail Run

The Oregon Dune Mushers have cancelled the Mail Run for this March. For 28 years, mushers have run their sled dog teams on the dunes from North Bend to Florence during an early weekend in March. The teams carry commemorative envelopes as a fund raiser for the organization. They will still gather this March and do short runs on the sand where the high water does not pose a danger for the teams. A variety of problems caused a low number of participants for the traditional run this year. The Mail Run will return as usual for March 2007.
 

Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast

One of the most spectacular sights to see on the Oregon Coast is the annual migration of whales. Gray whales are the most frequently spotted as they travel from the cold waters of the Bering Sea to the lagoons of Mexico to breed and give birth. The 10,000 mile round trip is the longest known for any mammal.

In Winchester Bay, scout for the migration at the Umpqua River Whale Watching Station adjacent to the Lighthouse. A viewing platform and interpretive signage was constructed in 1989 through the efforts of local volunteer whale watchers known as the Umpqua River Spyhoppers.
 

Whale watching week

The Umpqua Lighthouse whale watching platform will be staffed with volunteers to help you spot the whales. This begins the northern migration.
 

Taste & Toast (Formerly Wine 'N' Dine)

"And Now For Something Completely Different..."

Come join your friends for an evening of fun and frolic in Old Town Reedsport.  Local restaurants serve specialty hors d'oeuvres. Wineries and brew pubs offer tastings of premium wines and micro-brewed beers. Music, silent auctions and door prizes are just some of the fun waiting for you in the tent next to the Umpqua Discovery Center. While you're there, be sure to visit the Umpqua Discovery Center's newly opened exhibit, "Pathways To Discovery – Exploring Tidewater Country."

For more information and tickets to the Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce's annual fundraising event, call 800-247-2155 or 541-271-3495.

Easter Egg Hunt at Lower Umpqua Hospital

Easter Egg Hunt, Friday, April 14, 2006 at 2 pm on the patio at Lower Umpqua Hospital Extended Care. Children 5 and under only.
 

Easter Egg Hunt at Jim Barrone Park

Easter Sunday at Jim Barrone Park (Highland School). A great event for kids - gold and silver eggs are worth special prizes to the lucky child who finds them.
 

Splint and Sprint 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Walk

Saturday, May 6, 2006, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Splint and Sprint 5K run/walk and 1 mile fun walk promises to be a fun event for the entire family. Lower Umpqua Hospital parking lot. Registrations forms available at LUH or the Family Resource Center or by calling 271-9700.
 

Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day Parade


Sunday, May 28, 2006

BBQ Reedsport High School
Sunday May 28, 2006 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at Reedsport High School Cafeteria

Free Concert
Sunday May 28, 2006 at 7:00 pm at Reedsport High School Auditorium
Performed by The 29 Palms Marine Corp Marching Band and The US Navy Rock Band
 

Monday, May 29, 2006

Memorial Day Celebration and Parade
Noon - Parade up Hwy 101 from the High School to Hahn Park
1:30 pm - Service & Celebration at Hahn Memorial Park
BBQ to follow Service & Celebration

This year's theme is: “Honoring Veterans Past, Present, & Future”. The celebration should be very special with performances by the 29 Palms Marine Corp Marching Band and the US Navy Rock Band. The Green Beret Paratroopers from Fort Bragg, NC, will be jumping into the Memorial Service with a 35-foot x 65-foot American Flag. There will be a fly-by from an F-15 squadron and other Armed Forces participation. The parade will include groups and individuals of all ages and all are welcome to participate. The parade will be followed by a Memorial Service with displays and booths, BBQ, and live entertainment.

Come and help us celebrate a Memorial Day weekend packed with patriotic celebrations.  For additional information call the chamber office at (541) 271-3495 or (800) 247-2155.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

A Day in Winchester Bay

The 29 Palms Marine Corp Marching Band will spend a day in Winchester Bay with 2 outdoor concerts planned throughout the day. The public is invited to meet the members of the band and enjoy the two performances they will be giving around town.

In addition after the supper at Sportsman's Cannery, there will be free strawberry shortcake for the musicians, for visitors, and for anyone in Winchester Bay (until we run out!). What a great way to end an enjoyable day on the bay with fine music and the dessert which is famous in Winchester Bay. Donations will be accepted for the dessert and will be used for funding the Fourth of July Fireworks.

Information and photos from Memorial Day 2005 are HERE.
 

6th Annual Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Sculpting Championships

Professional chainsaw sculpture carvers will gather at Rainbow Plaza in Reedsport . The main event is 17 hours of carving large cedar sculptures with daily timed "quick-carve" events. Come and meet the artists and enjoy super sales on carvings. This is a great way to spend Father's Day on the coast!
 

Independence Day Celebration - Lakeside

Kathy 541-759-3883 after 5:30 for Street Faire or kromay @ msn.com
Gary & Fran 541-759-3919 Classic Car Show
Naomi 541-759-4935 Drawing & Bake Sale

FIREWORKS AT DUSK ON SUNDAY THE 4TH
street faire, Classic Car Show Saturday, Drawings, Bake Sale and fun, fun, fun.
 

Fireworks Over The Bay

The most spectacular fireworks display on the Coast. Visitors and locals grab a spot, fire up the barbecue or picnic and settle in for a night of fun. A Car Cruise & other events round out your stay.
 

Fireworks and Celebration in Gardiner


Looking for the small-town flavor of fireworks shows from yesteryear? The Friends of Gardiner Cemetery will be hosting a fireworks show on July 4 in Gardiner at dusk. Other activities during the day in Gardiner include: their annual potluck picnic at noon at the end of Front Street, along with games for the kids, including snail races, water balloon toss, and a watermelon-eating contest. For the "older kids," there will be an egg toss. Prizes will be tee shirts designed by local Jerry Solley, one of the owners of Cape Cod Cottages.

The Gardiner 4th of July Picnic has been held since 1992 and this will be the first year fireworks have been included in the festivities, thanks to the generous donations received from the Umpqua Bank, Tsunami Gallery, Bob and Donna Fullhart, Marc Fullhart, the Gardiner Guest House Bed and Breakfast, Compliance Service of America, American Bridge, Kel-Cee Ace Hardware, Cape Cod Cottages and other donations from Gardiner and Reedsport.

For more information, contact Dixie Hash at 541-271-4005 or Theresa Hart at 541-271-4063.

Riverfront Rhythms - Summer Concert Series

"The Caledonians" - Bagpipes, Celtic/Scots/Irish Music & Dance - is part of the Summer Concert Series presented for our entertainment pleasure by Riverfront Rhythms.  The Concert is free and is held, outdoors, on the front lawn of the Umpqua Discovery Center.  Picnicking is welcome.  Bring chairs or blankets.  No pets, smoking, or alcohol on the concert site, please.  Food vendors set up at 5:30 pm and the music begins at 6:30 pm.  For more information call: 541.271.4816
 

Ocean Festival

This annual 3-day event is fun for the whole family. This years festival will feature a Paintball Tournament, Coast Guard Rescue Demonstrations, vendors at Bayside Bazaar in Winchester Bay, a quilt show, fresh seafood sold direct from local fishermen and that fabulous Seafood BBQ.

Highland Pool's Birthday Party

We had so much fun during the 2005 50th Birthday of our City's Community Pool at Highland School that we decided to do it again this year! Swim for free all day. Free Hot Dog BBQ from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Free Street Dance in the parking lot from 7:30 to 10:30 pm.

Lakeside Cardboard Boat Challenge

Tenmile County Park
Viewing & Judging at 12:00
Race Starts at 1:00

Class I: Single Person Boats 
Class II: Unlimited Person Boats
$10 Entry Fee

For more information call Osprey Point at 541-759-2801
 

National Night Out

Enjoy a picnic with your neighbors and meet the men and women in law enforcement and fire & rescue who serve the community.

Dunefest

This 5-day event draws thousands of ATV enthusiasts to Winchester Bay, the heart of the Oregon Dunes. Events include drag races, challenges and more. In addition to all the action on the sand, you'll find ATV vendor booths, food, music and exhibitions featuring the latest products and vehicles. Some spectacular "show" buggies and quads are also on display and sale.
Find out all the details at the Official Dunefest Website.
 

Night Tours of the Umpqua River Lighthouse

This unique package includes a Powerpoint presentation of Oregon Lighthouses including a focus on this Winchester Bay gem, a personal tour of the Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum, and finally, the special feature of the evening, a tour up the tower to view the First Order Fresnel Lens while it rotates its red and white lights out to sea.

For more information and to reserve your spot (each tour group is limited to 12 participants), please call 541.271.4631
 

Lighthouse Week

 

Crab Bounty Hunt

Crabbing is always great fun and the crab is a tasty reward, but during the months of August & September, in Winchester Bay, a cash prize makes crabbing VERY rewarding. Crab are tagged with numbered metal tags. One of those numbers is sealed in the vault of Umpqua Bank. If you register that number before the end of the contest, you win the cash prize.  Information: 541-271-4471 email: wbma@harborside.com
 

Old Time Fiddlers Jamboree

The Oregon Old Time Fiddlers District 5 will be hosting its Third Annual Old Time Music Jamboree at the Winchester Bay Grange in Winchester Bay on August 17-20, 2006. Last years event attracted over 100 musicians and had enthusiastic audiences. We expect this year to be even better!

Musicians from all over Pacific Northwest and Northern California will be singing and playing fiddles, guitars, banjos and mandolins at the Grange Hall, the Gazebo, camp grounds and on the docks around town. Get ready to hear a wide variety of music including country, Cajun, swing, bluegrass, folk, waltzes and old time tunes. Open jam sessions will be going on all day long, with concerts at the Grange Hall every evening at 6:00pm. Admission is by donation. There will be a Gospel show t 9:00am on Sunday August 20th to close the event.

Sharon Gallagher (541) 572-2742  or Hal Weiner (541) 902-2336

PRESS RELEASE  -  FLYER
 

Lakeside Drag Boat Races

Gates open 9am
Street Fair 9-6

Lions Club - Pancake Breakfast 7 -11 both days on Park Ave
 

Kool Coastal Nights

The fun starts on Friday with the Burnout and Open Header Contests - hope you like LOUD cars and LOTS of smoke!! Saturday the cars are powdered and permed for the Show 'n Shine and Parade of Champions. There's also a Harbor Cruise for those who are nostalgic for the 50's. Bring your favorite gal or guy and shake your stuff at the Street Dance. Don't forget the famous Sea Food BBQ. Come Kool off at the coast and enjoy all the HOT cars!

Smith River Country Fair

Old-Fashioned Family Fun is a tradition at this annual event. Kids love the greased pig chase, chicken scramble, sack race and egg toss. A traditional pit BBQ Beef dinner is served at noon. Giant vegetable contest, exhibits and a raffle round out the day. Parking is limited, so please take the free shuttle to the Smith River site. A free bus runs every half-hour from the Safeway parking lot.

Art By the Bay

Noon to 6 pm. Artists perform in local shops in Winchester Bay for Labor Day Weekend. 

 

STEP Salmon Derby

Sponsored by Gardiner/Reedsport STEP (Salmon-Trout Enhancement Program) this event is timed to coincide with the fall Chinook salmon run. Daily prizes awarded for the biggest salmon. Local tackle shops have registration forms and rules.
 

Car Rally Run (Roseburg to Winchester Bay)

 

Fort Umpqua Days in Elkton

 

Tsalila

Pronounced Sa-Lee-La, this festival is part entertainment, part education, lots of fun and both free and open to the public. Centered downtown at the Umpqua River and Discovery Center with activities focused on watershed restoration and salmon recovery.

A complete traditional Indian village is set up with tribal drumming, dancing, storytelling and demonstrations of flintknapping and other native crafts by the Confederated Tribes of Siuslaw, Coos & Lower Umpqua Indians.

Lots of children's activities, food and crafts booths and a traditional alder smoked Salmon dinner. Last year 2000 students from surrounding schools attended the festival. A great event to bring the whole family.  Learn more here.  The student field trip days for 2006 are September 20, 21 & 22.

Vendors interested in attending the event may download the Tsalila application HERE.
 

Holiday By The Sea

Merchants in Winchester Bay gussy up their shops, bake up delicious treats, and wrap up some nifty door prizes. Fill your "Dance Card" by visiting each store on the list and receive a goodie bag full of treats. Santa will be available for a photo opportunity with the children, the young and the not-so-young. A fun time for all.

Gardiner Founder's Day Celebraton

Gardiner Founder's Day Celebration - this event includes a tour of the historic homes, cemetery, post office and old Mercantile Store (Tsunami Gallery). We will also have a quilt sale, photo array that people can purchase photos of the old homes, a pancake breakfast at the fire hall, and a Jewitt School reunion potluck.

45th Annual Holiday Bazaar
& Gingerbread House Contest

A vast array of hand-crafted wares awaits you at the Reedsport Community Building, along with homemade holiday food treats. Kids visit with Santa and the Gingerbread House contest awards prizes for bakers in several age categories.
 

Lower Umpqua Hospital Holiday Tour of Homes

Local citizens lovingly decorate their homes for the holidays and invite the community to start out the season in the spirit of fun.  As a bonus you also get to help fund the Hospital Auxiliary by supporting their annual fund raiser.
 

Festival of Trees

The Reedsport Garden Club and Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce bring the joy of the holiday season to the Reedsport area.  The Community Building will be decorated for the festivities.  Entertainment, stories and refreshments will be available.  The highlight of the event will be the trees, decorated by businesses or individuals, on display during the event - with an auction and raffles. 
 

Holiday Lights Contests

Reedsport and Winchester Bay become twin beacons of light as locals dress up their homes, businesses, and boats for the Holiday Season. Prizes are offered in both communities for the best light displays.
 

Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast

One of the most spectacular sights to see on the Oregon Coast is the annual migration of whales. Gray whales are the most frequently spotted as they travel from the cold waters of the Bering Sea to the lagoons of Mexico to breed and give birth. The 10,000 mile round trip is the longest known for any mammal.

In Winchester Bay, scout for the migration at the Umpqua River Whale Watching Station adjacent to the Lighthouse. A viewing platform and interpretive signage was constructed in 1989 through the efforts of local volunteer whale watchers known as the Umpqua River Spyhoppers.