By CHERI BRUBAKER/YachatsNews.com
WALDPORT — Fireworks are back! Officially. And, after a year disrupted by pandemic restrictions, so are Beachcomber Days.
If there is any summer event that brings such crowds and excitement to Waldport, it is Beachcomber Days – now in its 65th year. However, the three-day event traditionally held Father’s Day weekend, has been moved to July 2-4.
TiAnne Rios, secretary of the Beachcomber Days Committee, said coordinating Beachcomber activities with the July 4 fireworks seemed practical, noting there were some who opposed the break from tradition.
In Yachats, fireworks organizers have decided not to put on a show July 4. Newport and Lincoln City are proceeding with its traditional July 4 parade and fireworks display.
Rios said just as the Beachcomber Days Committee began reaching out to sponsors last year, the pandemic hit. Even this year, it was uncertain until just weeks ago if the events would be able to take place.
The fireworks show was a little more complicated. The Waldport Chamber of Commerce has traditionally handled the fireworks show, contracting with Western Display of Canby. The chamber had some money on hand left over from last year’s cancelled fireworks show but also wanted to move away from fundraising for the event and focus instead on business support. The Beachcomber committee was unable to raise sufficient funds this year to pull it off alone, and with the July 3 fireworks display uncertain, the committee turned to the city of Waldport.
At a special meeting May 19, the Waldport City Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of taking on the administration of the contract with Western Display and contribute a total of $7,500. The city had already committed $2,500. City Manager Dann Cutter said the additional $5,000 of the $15,000 total fireworks cost will come from its Community and Economic Development Fund. Cutter said that money, funded by a portion of the transient rental tax, is required to be spent on tourism promotion. The chamber will contribute $7,500 this year but is turning over fundraising and administration of the annual fireworks to the city.
Funding the fireworks is a perfect way to promote tourism at an opportune time, Cutter said. Cutter underscored the importance of the annual fireworks show, especially this year.
“The Fourth of July is the one holiday we recognize that we are all Americans,” Cutter suggested. “To be able to gather — that is freedom.”
The fireworks display will be held after sunset on July 3 over Alsea Bay.
In its 65th year, the theme of Beachcomber Days is “Seas the Day.” Events include a parade, car and bike show, a vendor fair, and entertainment all weekend.
A Royal Court will be selected from local high school junior and senior applicants with a 3.0 grade point average. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 28. Finalists will be awarded scholarships. A Junior Court, comprised of local fifth through 10th graders, will also be selected.
Applications, as well as a schedule and general information, are available on the Beachcomber Days website.
