Annual Memorial Day ceremony Fleet of Flowers honors seafarers at Depoe Bay on Monday, May 25

By OREGON COAST TODAY

The Fleet of Flowers, the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Depoe Bay honoring seafarers and those lost at sea, will take place on Monday, May 25 at the harbor.

Established in 1945, the Fleet of Flowers began as a tribute to fishermen Roy Bower and John Chambers, who died at sea in 1936 while attempting to aid fellow fishermen. The ceremony has grown throughout the decades and now draws large crowds each Memorial Day.

The opening ceremony at the docks across from the Coast Guard station will begin at 11 a.m. and will be led by Amy Archer, officer in charge of the U.S. Coast Guard Station at Depoe Bay.

The roughly one-hour long program will include patriotic music performed by local groups and presentation of the six armed services flags by local veterans along with presentation of the colors by the Coast Guard. A local Girl Scout troupe will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem will be sung along with “Amazing Grace.” There will also be a reading of “Old Glory” in tribute to the U.S. flag, a military flyover, 21-gun salute and a blessing of the fleet.

Across from the ceremony site, boats bedecked with wreaths of flowers will gather before heading out to sea. This is the best place to watch vessels up close as they depart and begin the procession.

From there, many spectators make their way to the Depoe Bay Bridge and nearby Whale Watching Center, where boats will be seen passing beneath the bridge and forming a circle offshore. The elevated vantage offers a wide, panoramic view of the fleet and is one of the most popular gathering spots.

“There is at least a half hour between the ceremony and when the flotilla heads out under the bridge, so people don’t have to worry about missing it,” said Jerry Springer, the event president. “Plus, this year we have partnered with Kids Zone and they are going to run a shuttle service from the docks after the ceremony so that people will be guaranteed to see the flotilla.”

Visitors will be able to line the seawall and other harbor-front areas early, where the small size of Depoe Bay makes it easy to find a clear view of the wreath-laying portion of the ceremony.

“We’re bringing sound back to the bridge,” Springer said. “That way people that are on the bridge can hear the opening ceremony.”

Springer recommends arriving early, especially for those hoping to secure a spot on the bridge or near the Whale Watching Center. Crowds gather quickly once the boats begin leaving the harbor.

Parking in Depoe Bay is limited, particularly on Memorial Day. Small public lots near the harbor and street parking along Highway 101 fill quickly, with additional options available near the city park and surrounding side streets. Accessible parking spaces are available near the harbor and downtown.

Those who can’t make it to the ceremony but would like to honor someone with a wreath to be laid during the ceremony can organize that on the new Fleet of Flowers website.

“This year, people have the ability to make a remembrance donation without having to attend and someone will create a wreath for them,” Springer said. ‘That’s really easy to do now.”

The Fleet of Flowers shirts, hoodies and hats are also available on the website.

“The apparel has always been popular but was not easy to get,” Springer said. “Now you can order it online all year. There is even free local delivery.”

The event board has invested in new event signs to greet visitors as they come into town on Highway 101 from the north or south.

“This event means a lot to this town,” Springer said. “You can really feel that while it’s happening. It’s very special.”

The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. in Depoe Bay harbor. For more information, go to fleetofflowers.com.

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