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More than a century later, the festival’s
trademark land and sea parades, races and
a ceremonial court of high school students
remain an Astoria tradition, one Grothe
remembers fondly.
“My mom has a photo of me standing on
the side of the street as a very small child,
watching the parade and collecting candy,”
Grothe said. “My uncle was a volunteer fire-
fighter, so we would get to ride on top of the
fire truck as kids with him and the volunteer
fire department.”
Flash forward a few years and Grothe
has been involved in the Regatta from many
angles. She’s walked as a parade musician
with the Astoria High School marching band,
been a Regatta court princess, served on the
board and has now taken on a leading role.
For this year’s event, with a theme of
“Just Wanna Have Fun,” the goal, accord-
ing to Grothe, is to “just throw a giant party.”
Festivities will begin with a coronation cer-
emony, an opportunity for outgoing Regatta
queen Annalyse Steele to reflect on two
years of community service and pass on the
crown to a new queen.
On Thursday, kids are invited to deco-
rate bikes, participate in a parade and enjoy
a movie showing at the Old-Fashioned Pic-
nic and Movie Night, held at Warrenton City
Park. Meanwhile, sailboat races, featuring
the Astoria Yacht Club, will be underway on
the Columbia River.
Friday’s events will begin with an invita-
tion-only luncheon at Astoria’s Lovell Show-
room, followed by the annual Seaman’s
memorial at Maritime Memorial Park, hon-
oring those who have served or worked on
the water.
A Friday night event will honor retired
local businessman Pete Gimre. Asked to ful-
fill the duties of the Admiral, an annually
awarded dignitary position, Gimre settled on
a fashion choice.
“He asked me if he should wear this
blazer from the ’90s, (from) when he was
one of the escorts for the court,” Grothe said.
“I think he was just happy to be thought of
and really excited … He was ready, that’s for
sure.”
After Saturday morning’s rose plant-
ing, honoring Grothe, Gimre and this year’s
Regatta queen, downtown festivities will be
plenty. Think decorated storefront windows,
a sailboat open house, live music, vendors
and a fun run — all before the start of two
parades, one on land and one on the river.
“You just can’t miss it,” Grothe said of
the Grand Land Parade. “I love seeing the
streets of downtown lined with all of our
community members … Business owners
coming out from their storefronts to enjoy
the parade and families setting up their camp
chairs, kids on blankets — it’s just such high
energy.”
Out on the water, vessels will arrive in
full regalia for the Highwater Boat Parade.
“We have members of the Astoria Yacht
Club that are going to be a part of the parade
with all of their beautiful boats. We get his-
toric boats that come out, as well, like the
Arrow No. 2,” Grothe said. Other partici-
pating vessels include local water taxis, tour
ships, sheriff and Coast Guard boats. “They
all decorate themselves up with flags and dif-
ferent themes,” Grothe said.
As for Grothe herself, she’ll be riding
with the Regatta court on one of the vessels
of the Columbia River Bar Pilots. “It’s just
really neat to be out on the water with them,”
she said of the court, “to see our history just
constantly present at the festival, it doesn’t
go away, it doesn’t disappear. And the fact
that people are still passionate about keeping
it alive, I think, is really important. It’s what
sustains us and keeps us moving forward.”
Photos by hailey hoffman/The astorian
TOP LEFT: In a unicorn princess dress, Antoinette Hill, 2, runs around in the grass with other
children before an outdoor movie at a previous Astoria Regatta event. ABOVE: Kimberly
Bown, the Lord High Chancellor of the Royal Rosarians, tips her hat to the passing crowds at a
previous Astoria Regatta.
Thursday, augusT 4, 2022 // 9