2015 astoria regatta history 2015 astoria regatta This year will mark the 121st anniversary of the start of the Astoria Regatta. What began as a casual remark between two Astorians soon became a way for the community to celebrate the return of Astoria fishermen from Alaska aboard boats filled with salted fish. Rapidly the annual celebration of the community blossomed into the one of the premier boat contests on the West Coast. The 1894 Astoria was a cultural hodgepodge comprised of Native Amer- icans, Scandanavian, Chinese and the usual polyglot of American/Europeans. Early pictures of Regatta show elaborate festivities amidst the thriving down- town that was built over the river on wooden planks, with both a Boat Parade as well as a Land Parade. During WWI and following the devastating fire that destroyed downtown Astoria in 1922, Regatta was suspended. It was reborn in 1931 and was suspended again in WWII. In 1948 it began again, complete with many of the boat races, but now focused on the then famous Salmon Derby. Thousands of sport fishermen would take to the river, with cash prizes awarded to the largest fish over a three-day period. Oregon Fish & Wildlife regulations curtailed the derby by the late 1960s. Astoria's history has always centered on the Columbia River. From Native Americans to the great navigators and explorers of the 1700 and 1800s, through to our moderen era, Astoria has been populated and tied to the endless stream of fishermen, U.S. Navy sailors and Coast Guardsmen. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey vessels have served at the mouth of the Columbia River since the 1800's, providing vital data to the bar pilots who guide ships safely to and from the Pacific Ocean. Not a day goes by, and rarely an hour, that there is not activity on Astoria’s waterfront. It truly is one of the great byways of the world. H ave fun at the R egatta! APPLIANCE AND HOME FURNISHINGS ✟ FREE Delivery & Set-up PLUS Removal! DEFICIENCY FREE STATE SURVEY! Welcome to the 2015 Regatta We Service What We Sell HOURS OPEN: MON-FRI 8-6 • SATURDAY 9-5 • SUNDAY 10-4 14 • 121 st Astoria Regatta Festival • 2015 Providing ASSISTED LIVING for Seaside Oregon since 1997 ✟ 529 SE MARLIN, WARRENTON 503-861-0929 we’re proud to announce we received a deficiency free state survey for 2015 Your Life. Our Commitment. 2240 COMMERCIAL ASTORIA 503-325-6362 suzanne elise assisted living community 101 Forest Dr. Seaside • 503-738-0307 www.suzanneelise.com • Ask for Jeanne