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
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HOURS OPEN: MON-FRI 8-6 • SATURDAY 9-5 • SUNDAY 10-4
14 • 121 st Astoria Regatta Festival • 2015
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