The sun came out. The whales appeared. And the Yachats community enjoyed a fun and fabulous Fourth (and Third) of July

YACHATS – There’s nothing quite like a normal Fourth of July in Yachats. Except there’s not much normal.

It’s been two years since the community celebrated quite like it did this holiday weekend. And although it may have not been quite as crowded as in the past, the folks who were here were ready for fun.

The sun came out and enticed throngs of visitors and Yachats regulars to indulge in a pancake breakfast, an extra day of the Yachats Farmers Market, an art show, a duck (not real ones!) race … and, of course, the La de da Parade, which was back after a two-year pandemic-forced hiatus

The weather cooperated perfectly, with warm temperatures and bright sunny skies. Even a pod of whales stopped just off the mouth of the Yachats River to put on a show.

Here are some photos and scenes from a beautiful Fourth in Yachats.

Quinton Smith **Longtime Yachats resident Carl Miller, riding in the motorcycle sidecar of Matt Grass, was the grand marshal of the 2022 Yachats La de da Parade.**

Quinton Smith **The precision Yachats Umbrella Drill team — with four practices under its belt — returned to the La de da Parade Monday, July 4 under the direction of Will Webster, right.**

Quinton Smith **Tracie Watson, right, of Yachats Mystic Antiques and her crew of colorful friends march down West Seventh Street to help start the 2022 La de da Parade on Monday, July 4.**

Quinton Smith **Yachats Library board members, volunteer and staff left to right, Marion Godfry, Jan Thornton, Rose Valentine and David Rivinus march in the 2022 La de da Parade on Monday, July 4.**

Quinton Smith Ernie and Susie Walsleben of Yachats and their Tesla were among a fleet of 10 all-electric cars allowed into the La de da Parade this year under the sponsorship of Central Lincoln Peoples Utility District. But for the first time, there was no tractor-pulled manure spreader hauling the Yachats city council and city manager.

Quinton Smith **Jane Lindaman and Jack, her Golden retriever, walk (and roll) in Yachats’ La de da Parade on Monday July 4 as part of the Lincoln County Pet Partners therapy group.**

Quinton Smith **Shirley and Jim O’Brien of Yachats played patriotic songs on their accordions to entertain the crowds during Monday’s La de da Parade.**

Quinton Smith Spectators along Ocean View Drive wave and blow their kazoos at a fleet of electric cars in Monday’s La de da Parade. From front to back are Mary and Bill Reeves of Yachats, Doug and Tina Reeves of Erie, Colo., and Barb Reeves of Arvada, Colo., sitting.

Quinton Smith **Donna Reed, from left, Lori and Mike Stevens joined Charles Reed (not pictured) as a flock of flamingos for the Monday, July 4 La de da Parade.**

Quinton Smith **Pretty much everyone in the La de da Parade received perfect scores of 10 — and one 11 — from this “unofficial” group of judges along Ocean View Drive.**

Quinton Smith **Participants from Yachats Community Garden in Monday’s La de da parade march up Ocean View Drive under beautiful blue skies and an appreciative audience.**

Quinton Smith **Members of the Yachats Youth and Family Activities Program make the final turn in the La de da Parade from Ocean View Drive onto Beach Street.**

Quinton Smith **A Tyrannosaurus Rex chases a damsel in distress during Yachats’ La de da Parade Monday, July 4.**

Tracy Crews Volunteers with Yachats Youth and Family Activity Program watch as rubber ducks work their way down the Yachats River in between floats provided by the Port of Alsea as part of the nonprofit’s annual fundraiser.

Quinton Smith **Jerry McCall of Eugene, left, shows off his Fourth of July getup during the Lions Club breakfast. With him are Rollan Cummins and P.K. Kalenzis, right.**

Quinton Smith **The Yachats Lions Club, with help from Angell Job Corps students, served more than 300 people Monday, July 4 during its all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast.**

Quinton Smith **The Yachats Farmers Market drew a steady stream of lookers and shoppers Sunday and added an extra day on Monday, July 4.**

Quinton Smith **Art lookers and lovers perused the displays Sunday, July 3 during the four-day show by the Yachats Arts Guild in the Commons. It was the group’s first in-person show in two years.**

Quinton Smith **T. Ray and the Shades got the party started Saturday afternoon during a three-hour performance in the Commons Pavilion, an appearance sponsored by Polly Plumb Productions.**

4 Comments Leave a Reply

James Kerti says:

July 5, 2022 at 8:40 am

Happy to see so many familiar, smiling faces. Thanks for posting this.
Jacqueline Danos says:

July 5, 2022 at 10:53 am

Thanks for these great pictures. Happy the La De Da Parade is back but bummed to see motorized vehicles. The only motorized vehicle I miss is the manure spreader with the Mayor and City Council. Where were they? Of all the obligations that the Mayor and Council have I would think this would be the most fun.
- Chris Chandler says:
  
  July 10, 2022 at 12:03 am
  
  Electric vehicles have motors, but not tailpipes, and make very little noise. Those charged locally are using fuel that’s 95% carbon-free. Isn’t that something to celebrate?
  
  Vehicles with internal combustion engines (gasoline, diesel) spew exhaust and can be very noisy. Imagine downtown Yachats when 80% of vehicles on 101 have electric motors instead…it will be much quieter, and the air will be cleaner.
  
  I think educating people about electric vehicles is a very good thing. Electric vehicles are much more efficient than those powered by gasoline or diesel—those waste up to 70% of their fossil fuels by turning them into heat, not forward momentum. Electrics are highly efficient—nearly all of that power is used for momentum, and not wasted.
Richard Buehrig says:

July 5, 2022 at 6:54 pm

Nice to see the La de da Parade back in full swing again. Too bad you let the politicians be involved as well.