THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019 // 17
READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
BEST CHEAP DATE
BEST FESTIVAL
WASHINTON STATE
INTERNATIONAL
KITE FESTIVAL
LONG BEACH,
WASH.
By BRENNA VISSER
Runner-up: Astoria Pride
Honorable mention: Asto-
ria-Warrenton Crab, Seafood
& Wine Festival
Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce
A couple enjoys a sunny day at Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach.
THE BEACH
By KATIE FRANKOWICZ
Runner-up: Columbian The-
atre, Astoria
Honorable mention: Astoria
Sunday Market
A
cheap date doesn’t
have to be … you
know … cheap.
What is simpler or
brings more delight than a
day at the beach? You just
show up with some food
and a blanket on a nice day
and the date unfolds in front
of you. Stay late enough
and it comes ready-made
with a sunset. If you want
to get really fancy, maybe
you bring a kite — or a
puppy.
If you’re looking for
a range of options when
it comes to a beach date,
the South County beaches
have you covered. Cannon
Beach and Seaside offer an
array of activities and ter-
rain whether you prefer hik-
ing, shopping, walking or
lounging.
The good news is these
beaches can still be an
option for people who
rely on wheelchairs to get
around or who might need
the extra help navigating
the uneven sand. Seaside,
Cannon Beach and Manza-
nita (just over the county
line in Tillamook County)
all offer beach wheelchairs
for free. Seaside of course
features a famous paved
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Continued Support!
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imogengallery.com
promenade with plenty of
spots to stop and enjoy the
view.
If you are able to tackle
more rugged terrain, take
a hike in Ecola State Park
beforehand. Lazy time on
the beach afterwards will be
even sweeter. CW
T
he Washington
State Interna-
tional Kite Fes-
tival was given the title
of Best Festival by this
year’s readers. The festi-
val, now in its 39th year,
is a weeklong kite cele-
bration and competition
held annually in Long
Beach, Wash., in August.
Jane Holeman, the
event committee’s chair-
person, is “thrilled and
surprised” by the honor.
“That’s really a feather in
our cap,” she said.
Robert Hilson
Thousands of spectators are greeted by a torrent of kites and
gorgeous weather at the Washington State International Kite
Festival.
Like many events in
the area, the kite festival is
entirely volunteer-run. It
feels good to have every-
one’s hard work recognized,
she said.
Holeman attributes the
festival’s success to the fact
it is generally free, fami-
ly-friendly fun.
“It’s very relaxing. It’s
really hard to put enough
emphasis on the fam-
ily draw,” she said. “We’re
seven days long, so you
don’t have use up your whole
weekend. You can just pick a
day that works for you.”
This year’s festival will be
held Aug. 19 through 25. CW
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