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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 16, 2018)
4 • 111th Rhododendron Festival • MAY 16, 2018 Rhody Rendezvous with old friends and new at the Rhododendron Festival, May 16 to 20, 2018 8 T he 111th annual Florence Rhododendron Festival con- tinues a grand tradition this week. “Rhody Rendezvous,” this year’s theme, is intended to evoke a feeling of coming to Florence for an exciting gathering with friends and family and having a great time in Oregon’s Coastal Playground, according to Bettina Hannigan, executive direc- tor of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s our 111th year. Aft er that many years, we’re pretty sure that several generations of Oregonians and other visitors have rendezvoused around our rhodies many times,” Hannigan said. Th e Davis Shows Northwest Car- nival opens on Wednesday aft er- noon at the Port of Siuslaw parking lot in Historic Old Town Florence; the Rhododendron Court Corona- tion takes place Th ursday evening at the Florence Events Center; and the town begins fi lling with rhody en- thusiasts on Friday. Saturday features the 5K Rhody Run and Walk; the 26th annual Rho- dy Classic Car Show ’n’ Shine from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Grocery Outlet parking lot; the Junior Pa- rade and Kiwanis Kids Games at noon, and the Coast Radio Classic Car Cruise from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. through Old Town. Th e Rhododendron Festival Grand Floral Parade is at noon on Sunday, May 20, at 27th Street and Highway 101. Th e parade will wend its way down Highway 101 to Kingwood Street, and from there down to Bay Street and Historic Old Town Flor- ence. Th e parade ends at the Port of Siuslaw parking lot where the Davis Shows Carnival will be going strong. “We’re looking to this year’s parade entrants to really step up again and rock the rhodies,” Hannigan said. “It’s one of the oldest fl oral festival parades in the west and we want ev- ery entry to have as many rhodies as possible.” Rhody Days also includes a ven- dor’s fair in Old Town, a spectacular rhododendron show along with live music, art and other festivities at the Florence Events Center, and Th ree Rivers Casino Resort will host the annual Let It Ride motorcycle show and other events. Each year during the Th ursday night kick-off event at the Flor- ence Events Center, offi cials crown Queen Rhododendra and Th e King of the Coast from area high schools as the event’s offi cial ambassadors. Seven Siuslaw High School stu- dents make up the Senior Court this year — along with fi ve young prin- cesses from Siuslaw and Mapleton elementary schools. Court members sell campaign- style pins for $3 featuring the fes- tival’s logo. Pins are available from court members, at the Chamber’s Visitor’s Center at 290 Highway 101 and around town. Proceeds go to- ward scholarships for members of the court. Pins are also good for $1 off a bowl of chowder at participating restaurants in May. Th e list cur- rently includes Beachcomber Pub, Le Bouchon Café, Bay Street Grille, ICM Restaurant, Firehouse Restau- rant and Homegrown Public House. Hannigan said, “Th ere’s always so much to do in and around Florence, and the Rhododendron Festival adds even more fun to this place we call Oregon’s Coastal Playground.” For a full listing of Rhody Days events, general information about the festival, parade entry forms, ven- dor fair applications or event sched- ules, check FlorenceChamber.com.
