10A | WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018 | SIUSLAW NEWS
festive rhododendrons and whimsical
takes on the theme.
Florence Mayor Joe Henry’s award
went to the Rhododendron Court Float,
sponsored by Banner Bank and Oregon
Pacific Bank; the Queen’s Award went
to Habitat For Humanity’s “Three Little
Pigs” inspired float; and the King’s Award
went to the Siuslaw Varsity & JV Baseball
and Softball Float, sponsored by Chuck’s
Plumbing.
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Associa-
tion opened the parade, followed imme-
diately after by Florence Police Chief Tom
Turner and the U.S. Coast Guard Station
Siuslaw River Color Guard.
According to Abeyta, the 100 parade en-
tries included more than 700 band mem-
bers from Florence, Oregon City, Beaver-
ton and Coos Bay schools and 75 student
banner carriers featuring the names of
the chamber’s distinguished sponsors and
corporate underwriters.
Dan Lofy was this year’s parade master.
He also served as chairman for the Rhody
Days Committee.
“In addition to all our chamber spon-
sors, I would like to give special thanks to
the more than 45 dedicated festival parade
and vendor fair volunteers,” Abeyta said.
She also thanked Ocean Dunes Golf
Course, Lofy Construction, Coastal Dis-
posal, Buck's Sanitary Service, Siuslaw
School District, C&M Stables and the City
of Florence for their partnership with the
chamber’s Rhody Days events.
Rhody Days also saw 30 vendors at the
Maple Street Vendor Fair, the 40th annual
Rhody Run 5K and 10K and the Coast Ra-
dio Classic Car Cruise, as well as the annu-
al Elks Lodge breakfast, barbecue and pie
sale; Oregon Coast Humane Society’s hot
dog and hamburger sale and the tradition-
al Rhody Queen and Court Display at the
Siuslaw Pioneer Museum.
Florence Police Department, Oregon
State Police and Lane County Sheriff ’s
Office provided thorough public safety
coverage throughout the weekend, along
with Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue and
Western Lane Ambulance District.
“‘Rhody Rendezvous’ was a good theme
for this year, and for every Rhody Days,”
Hannigan said. “People really do come
from all over for our festival, which con-
tinues to bring people together year after
year.”
Florence’s famous festival will continue
next year. For more information, visit flor-
encechamber.com.
See more photos in the Rhody Album
on page 12A
Rhody from page 1A
Motorcycles were the highlight of much
of Rhody Days, as some bikers have trav-
eled to Florence each year since the 1970s.
They were also the featured guests of
Three Rivers’ “Let it Ride” Bike Show and
Vendor Fair and Florence United Method-
ist Church’s “Blessing of the Motorcycles.”
Other vehicles were featured in the
BeachKomber Car Club’s 26th annual
Show ’n’ Shine, which featured stock and
modified classic cars, rat rods and trucks
in the Grocery Outlet and City Lights Cin-
emas parking lot.
Hundreds of guests viewed the cars
during Friday’s pre-registration event and
Saturday’s Show ’n’ Shine before the Coast
Radio Classic Car Cruise brought many of
the cars on a cruise through Old Town.
BeachKomber gave out 29 awards. Bob
and Marsha Baker of Florence won Best of
Show for their 1941 Willys Roadster. Buck
and Karen Buckmaster of Florence won
Host’s Choice for Best Car with their 1962
Chevy Impala and Dan and Ladonna Bar-
tholomew of Drain won Best Truck with
their 1972 Chevy Pickup 4x4.
Back on the other end of town, Florence
Events Center became a hub of activity for
the annual Siuslaw Chapter of the Ameri-
can Rhododendron Society Festival Flow-
er Show & Sale and the Florence Regional
Arts Alliance Art Festival.
Youth and families flocked to Oak Street
for Saturday’s Junior Parade, put on by
Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue, and the
Kiwanis Kids Games at the Siuslaw High
School JV Baseball Field.
Firefighters led the Rhododendron
Court in the parade that also featured trac-
tors, walking groups, bicycles, teams, clubs
and characters from Star Wars.
After the parade, youth participated
in sack races, fishing and other energetic
events with the Kiwanis Club of Florence.
Kiwanis provided prizes and snacks.
“The entire festival could not have been
done without the tremendous group of vol-
unteers and committee people who come
out every year,” Abeyta said. “This town is
full of incredible people.”
Carrying on 111 years of tradition, Flor-
ence continued the Rhododendron Festival
with the Grand Floral Parade on Sunday.
One hundred entrants joined the route
from Highway 101 at 27th Street down to
Old Town —including dignitaries, bands,
equestrian groups, classic cars and floats
from commercial and nonprofit groups.
Many floats honored the “Rhody Ren-
dezvous” theme with gatherings, gardens,
From Baby to Graduate
Sponsored by:
A C O M M U N I T Y- O W N E D E L E C T R I C U T I LI TY
(it seemed like just a few short years)
Screening Presented by:
8th Grade, High School or College
Siuslaw News & KCST & KCFM Coast Radio
~ Grad’s Name ~
School
Birth Date:
Parents:
Grandparents:
Coming Wednesday, June 6th
“Baby to Graduate Review”
Deadline is Friday, June 1st
Now is the time to reserve your graduates a spot in this special section just for them.
Just bring in or mail, with the coupon below, your graduate’s favorite baby picture
along with a current picture to be published side by side on June 6th.
What a special way to show off that graduate that you are so proud of!
Please attach a self-addressed envelope for picture return.
Enclose Check for
$35.00
and mail to
“Baby to Graduate Review”
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
Grad’s Name:___________________________________
School:________________________________________
Two Showings @ City Lights Cinema
1:30pm • 6:30pm
Tickets are FREE*
Admission tickets are required
Birth Date:______________________________________
and available at City Lights Cinema 1920 HWY 101
Parents:________________________________________
*Only 230 tickets available, fi rst come, fi rst served.
Grandparents:___________________________________
Limit 4 per person.
Your Name:_____________________________________
Representatives will be available for a
Q&A after each showing.
Address:_______________________________________
Or stop by our offi ce at 148 Maple St.
in Old Town Florence
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Phone: ___________________________