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“This is not like logging into a Zoom
meeting,” Lay said. “This is an immersive
space, where people can go and support
people they love so much and see every
year.”
Organizers want to make sure that the
community still gets plenty of value from
the event and that vendors and restaurants
still bring in money like normal, Lay said.
Lay is new to organizing the festival so
she talked to members of the community
about what they wanted to see and then she
worked to implement that love for the festi-
val into the online version.
Using an online platform called Even-
thub, festival attendees are able to chat live
with vendors. They can turn on a camera
and microphone and have actual face-to-
face chats, Lay said.
The goal is to make connections
between people, Lay said. Vendors will
offer specials on products that attendees
can’t find the rest of the year.
“We are trying to bridge that gap,” she
said.
With the mainstage feature, organiz-
ers can air musical performances from the
musicians who normally perform at the
festival. Interactive demonstrations will
also add more excitement, she said.
“That’s why we chose this platform, for
that live event feel,” she said.
Vendors will be at their booths, ready to
chat throughout the weekend.
Booths will be available all the time
between April 23 and May 23, but the ven-
dors will not be available to chat at other
times.
Anyone can attend the virtual festi-
val, even those who are not in the area,
she said. There is no charge for admission
but the Chamber of Commerce will accept
donations throughout the weekend in the
online vendor area.
There will be a dining trail for locals
and people visiting Astoria. Anyone can
visit participating businesses, learn about
those businesses and enter to win prizes
that have to do with the festival. To partic-
ipate, sign up for the Festival Feast Pass-
port (free of charge). Then, check out fes-
tival-themed menu items and special offers
from April 23 to May 9.
Every time someone uses their passport,
they will be entered to win prizes, includ-
ing a river tour, an overnight stay at Bow-
line Hotel, dinner at Buoy Beer Co. and
more.
Restaurants participating in the Festi-
val Feast dining trail include Astoria Brew-
ing Co., Bowpicker Fish & Chips, Bridge-
water Bistro, Brut Wine Bar, Buoy Beer
Co., El Compadre Restaurant, Fishstix Sea-
food Market, Fort George Brewery, Gae-
tano’s Market & Deli, Hanthorn Crab Co.,
Hurricane Ron’s, Josephson’s Smokehouse,
Mo’s Seafood and Chowder, Nekst Event,
Olney Saloon, Peter Pan Market & Deli,
Plaza Jalisco Mexican Restaurant, Reach
Break Brewing, South Bay Wild Fish
House, Table 360 Bakery & Bistro and
Astoria Sunday Market.
One of the in-person stops this year is
one that should make lots of locals happy.
The Astoria Clowns will be selling their
famous Clown Bread. Lay said as she has
been planning the festival, there is one
question she has heard time and time again:
“Will Clown Bread be available?”
The answer, Lay is happy to say, is yes.
The bread features a bread loaf, crab or
shrimp, and a secret sauce.
The Astoria Clowns will be selling their
bread at 11 a.m. in the parking lot at Asto-
ria High School.
ABOVE: The Astoria Clowns will serve Clown Bread on Saturday. TOP: Local musicians’
performances will be viewable this weekend on the festival’s online platform.
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021 // 9