10 // COASTWEEKEND.COM
EVENTS SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9
Queen’s Luncheon
Noon • Astoria Golf and Country Club
Queen’s Coronation
6 p.m. • Free ($10 suggested donation) •
Liberty Theatre
THURSDAY, AUG. 10
Regatta Junior Parade
5:30 p.m. • Free • Downtown Astoria
Movie night and BBQ in Warrenton
7 p.m. • Free • Warrenton City Park (next to
Community Center)
REGATTA HAVE FUN!
PHOTO BY SCOTT DOCHERTY
The Regatta Court, from left: Princess Sydney Ordway, Princess Rebecca Sprengeler, 2016 Queen Aubrey McMahan, Princess Mackenzie Strain
and Princess Megan Postlewait
Astoria Regatta
celebrates 123rd year
is the most fantastic thing about
you.”
‘That’s a princess!’
By KAELIA NEAL
COAST WEEKEND
T
he Astoria Regatta, a
festival now in its 123rd
year, is continuing its
unique traditions — hence,
this year’s theme: “Full Steam
Ahead” — including an
opening highlight: the Queen’s
Coronation.
On Wednesday, Aug. 9, Au-
brey McMahan, the 2016 queen
from Knappa, will pass her
crown to one of four Regatta
princesses.
As Regatta Court mem-
bers, the young women are
constantly in the spotlight.
And McMahan — the student
Knappa High School has relied
on to sing the National Anthem
at sporting events — is used to
being in the public eye.
But when she joined Re-
gatta, she said the attention
became more frequent, and a
reminder of the importance of
personal responsibility, treating
others with respect and main-
taining one’s reputation.
“It made me strive to be a
better person,” McMahan said.
“People know you’re a hard
worker. It was about proving it
to myself.”
As advice for the future
queen, McMahan said not to
panic about being the center of
attention; the community will
support her. “Everyone who
cares about Regatta cares about
your well-being,” she said.
“You are who you are, and that
This year’s festival is a
fi ve-day event beginning with
the Queen’s Luncheon at noon
Wednesday, Aug. 9, followed
by the Queen’s Coronation at
6 p.m.
“I think it’s going to be
rewarding yet bittersweet when
they announce the new queen,”
McMahan said.
Several signature events
follow, including the Regatta
Square, Admiral’s Reception,
Grand Land Parade, Highwater
Boat Parade, fi reworks show
and Seamen’s Memorial.
“My favorite is still the
Seamen’s Memorial,” said
U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Dan
Travers, this year’s Regatta
president, who has spoken at
the memorial twice. “It’s a
touching event.”
Continued on Page 11
FRIDAY, AUG. 11
Gathering of past admirals
and presidents
Noon • $35/person • Patriot Hall, Clatsop
Community College
Seamen’s Memorial
3 p.m. • Free • Maritime Memorial Park
Admirals Reception
5:30 p.m. • $20/person • The Barbey Center
SATURDAY, AUG. 12
Portland Royal Rosarians Rose Planting
9 a.m. • Free • Lighthouse Park
Regatta Square: BBQ, beer garden,
live entertainment, kids fun zone
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Free • 12th Street and
Duane Avenue, downtown Astoria
Regatta Grand Land Parade
Noon • Free • Downtown Astoria
Sailboat Races
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. • Free • Astoria Yacht Club,
West Mooring Basin
Highwater Boat Parade
5:30 p.m. • Free • Astoria, Columbia River-
front to West Basin Marina to Columbia
River Maritime Museum
Regatta Fireworks Show
Dusk • Free • East Mooring Basin
SUNDAY, AUG. 13
Sailboat Races
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. • Free • Astoria Yacht Club,
West Mooring Basin
Regatta Concert
3 p.m. • Free • Astoria High School Audito-
rium