Each glass float is individually numbered and comes with a QR code for finders to scan to log their find.
Of the nearly 1,000 glass floats hidden on Lincoln City beaches this year, 50 will hold a special meaning for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
Finders Keepers, the yearlong hidden glass float event, is making a special drop this weekend in honor of the Siletz tribe’s 48th anniversary of federal recognition, which the tribe will celebrate Saturday with its annual Restoration Powwow.
The 50 glass floats, created by local artist and Lincoln City Glass Center co-owner Kelly Howard, will be distributed on Lincoln City beaches for three days beginning Friday. Floats are hidden above the high tide line and below the beach embankment and are typically in plain view.
When designing the floats, Howard took inspiration from the colors and patterns seen at a powwow, like the feathers and regalia, according to Explore Lincoln City, the city’s tourism promotion agency.
Grand entry at the 48th Restoration Powwow will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at Chinook Winds Casino Resort. The final Finders Keepers special drop of the year will be Dec. 12-14, with 50 holiday-themed floats hidden on the beach.
— Jamie Hale/The Oregonian/OregonLive
