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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 11, 2016)
AUGUST 11, 2016 // 11 REGATTA HONORS ASTORIA’S HISTORY THE 122ND ANNUAL FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE AUG. 11 TO 14 By ELI STILLMAN T The nautical history the North Coast was built upon will be celebrated once again with the 122nd Astoria Regatta festival. With tons of events packed into the remainder of the week Aug. 11 to 14, everyone in the family will fi nd something to enjoy. Centered in Astoria, the festival is known as the oldest celebration in the oldest Oregon city, which in turn, would make it the oldest celebration in the state. It’s typical that in 122 years, things have a tendency to change. While some aspects of the mar- itime festival have been altered throughout the last century, many are sticking to tradition. History and Defi nition The story of the festival’s conception dates back to 1894, when two Astorians were casually talking about boats. That conversa- tion grew into a celebration to wel- come fi sherman back from Alaska, as they pulled in the Astoria harbor with fresh fi sh. It would eventually become one of the premier boating festivals along the West Coast. Today, the Regatta draws locals from both sides of the river and even some out of town travelers. The word “regatta” means to actually race boats, which has also played an integral part in the back- ground of the festival. Saturday and Sunday there will be sailboat races that can be viewed east of the Astoria-Megler Bridge. The Astoria Yacht Club is presenting the races, which are sure to be fast, wet and full of excitement. Regatta Royalty Since the beginning, there has been a Regatta queen to head the events. Last year Allison Bentley won the crown, and now she will pass down her title to one of the four princesses. The fi nal decision will be made during the annual coronation ceremony that takes place at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Liberty Theater. All year, the court has been making appearances in parades and other public events. In the past, the Astoria Regatta Scholarship Fund has donated up- wards of $18,000 in scholarships to the young women on the Regat- ta court. The organization hopes to encour- age the local high schoolers to continue their education in college. CAN’T-MISS EVENTS PH OTO BY DA N N Y M ILLER PHOTO BY JOSHUA BESSEX Above: The Astoria Grand Land Parade, set for noon Saturday, is just one of many exciting festivities of the Astoria Regatta. Left: The historic Tourist No. 2 ferry returned to Astoria on Aug. 1. The ferry will take part in the Highwater Boat Parade during Asto- ria Regatta on Saturday, Aug. 13. Bridge Anniversary This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Asto- ria-Megler Bridge. In conjunction with the nautical festival, there will be a rededication ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13: The bridge will be shut down and reopen after city offi cials make their way across in celebratory fashion. After the bridge ceremony, there will be the annual Grand Land Parade through downtown Astoria. Starting at noon, the pa- rade is one of the most anticipated events of Regatta. Along with local offi cials, special dignitary guests from Astoria’s sister city of Wall- dorf, Germany will also be present for the festivities. Tourist No. 2 Prior to the completion of the Astoria-Megler Bridge, which stretches over 21,000 feet, the only way travelers could get across the Columbia was by ferry boat. It’s a way of travel many today have grown-up without experiencing, but a few still remember dearly. The Clowns Early on the morning of Aug. 1, a crowd gathered at 17th Street dock in Astoria. Anxiously pac- ing, everyone stretched their eyes downriver to try and make out a long overdue return. Around 10 a.m., the crowd cheered when the Tourist No. 2 pulled up to the dock. Two crewman aboard the 92-year-old boat had made the voyage from Bremerton, Wash- ington to bring back the ferry that had once taxied residents from one side of the river to the other. The ferry’s return has been a year and a half in the making. Now the historic boat has arrived just in time to take part in Astoria’s cele- bration of maritime heritage. “It’s a fl oating museum,” said Donna Quinn, the director of sales and marketing at the Cannery Pier Hotel. “It’s such a treat to have this piece of history here.” The old boat will be included in the Astoria Regatta Highwater Boat Parade, which takes place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Throughout the festivities, be sure to keep an eye out for the Astoria Clowns. They are fun group of jokesters who have always been an important part of the town’s history. In fact, former Astoria Mayor Willis Van Dusen said, “Without the Astoria Clowns, we would not have the Astoria bridge.” The clowns were huge pro- moters of the bridge when it was still a plan on paper. To get the town on board for funding the bridge in the late 1950s, the clowns painted their bright yel- low Chrysler to say “Let’s Build The Bridge.” Right after the final completion of the bridge, the clowns were one of the first cars to cross over it. Legend has it there were 15 of them in a car that was supposed to seat seven. Warrenton Concert A new addition to the festival will expand into the city of War- renton, as country music comes to Warrenton City Park for a concert Thursday, Aug. 11 Queen Coronation, 6 p.m., Liberty Theater Friday, Aug. 12 Seamen’s Memorial, 3 p.m., Maritime Memorial Park Concert in the Park, 7:30 p.m., Warrenton City Park Saturday, Aug. 13 Regatta Square, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Heritage Square Grand Land Parade, noon, downtown Highwater Boat Parade, 5:30 p.m., water- front FIREWORKS, dusk, East End Mooring Basin at 7:30 p.m. Friday. John Berry and Sherrié Austin will play free sets in the park to whomever wants to come out and enjoy the evening. Austin, a native of Australia, got her start in music opening for Johnny Cash when she was just 14. Since then, she’s enjoyed a di- verse career, acting in “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” performing a song featured in the “Baywatch” soundtrack and seeing multiple singles on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Berry has been performing country music for over three decades. In that time he’s self-pro- duced six studio albums, per- formed for George H.W. Bush and been nominated for a Grammy. The seasoned country stars are sure to bring an entertaining evening to the Warrenton Park for the fi rst time in the history of Regatta.
