Waldport and Yachats launch two days of fireworks shows, parade, music, food and fun

 

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews

Strike up the band, fire up the grill and break out the tutus – the Fourth of July razzle-dazzle is about to light up the coast.

From the wacky fun of the La de da Parade to live music to (legal) fireworks, the big summer holiday events are set to declare independence from the ho-hum in Yachats and Waldport.

The celebration kicks off Wednesday with official fireworks in Waldport. Revelers should know that fireworks of any type are banned in unincorporated areas of Lincoln County. In addition, except for professional displays, it’s illegal to use fireworks that shoot into the air and explode in most Oregon cities, including Waldport and Yachats.

On Independence Day, Yachats steps up with a community breakfast and salute to veterans, hot dog sale, a parade, free concert, duck race and – of course — fireworks.

The city of Waldport is spending $22,500 for a fireworks show over the Alsea Bay, beginning at 10 p.m. Wednesday. Billed as “the first and only fireworks show” on the coast on July 3, the event is funded via the city’s transient rental tax.

“It’s a huge team effort,” said city manager Dann Cutter, with the show expected to last at least 20 minutes. The professional show is staged by Oregon’s largest fireworks firm, Western Display of Canby. Waldport volunteer and city councilor Rick Booth, a trained pyro-technician for Western, is a key part of the team.

Those who are looking for an earlier jump on holiday activities might want to check out the Waldport Wednesday Market. Dozens of artists, crafters and vendors will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Waldport Community Center.

 

In Yachats …

Yachats has a day packed with Fourth festivities, capping off with a fireworks display at 10 p.m. The aerial show will launch over the mouth of the Yachats River, where it meets the ocean. The city funds the $20,000 show through the Yachats Chamber of Commerce.

Yachats’ Fourth of July activities include:

• Pancake breakfast at the Yachats Lions Club Hall, 7:30-11 a.m. A $10 donation is suggested.
• “Salute to Veterans,” a patriotic musical event honoring all local military veterans from all service groups, 11 a.m. Set behind the Yachats Commons, the event will feature the Yaquina Bay Color Guard and local musicians, along with representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard Station. A community sing is also planned.
• Yachats Ladies Club Hot Dog sale, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until sold out), club headquarters, West Third at Pontiac Street. The $5 cost for a hot dog and chips will help fund the club’s support for community non-profit groups and scholarships. The Ladies Club will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for another of its fundraising bazaars with everything from homemade goodies to crafts.
• Yachats Farmers Market: The market will be open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its usual location on West Fourth Street adjacent to the Yachats Commons.
• La de da Parade. A cornerstone of Yachats’ Fourth fun, the parade’s only theme is “wacky whimsy.” The music, costumes and family-friendly merriment (don’t miss the umbrella drill team) begins at noon. Viewers can gather anywhere along Ocean View Drive between West Seventh Street and Beach Avenue or on the Yachats State Park lawn at the west end of Second Street.
• Free Dixieland Jazz concert, 1:30 p.m., Yachats Pavilion. Banjo virtuoso Lance McClean of the Dixieland festival circuit will be featured. Donations will be accepted for the Yachats Food Pantry at Yachats Community Presbyterian Church.
• YYFAP Duck Race. The fundraiser for Yachats Youth and Family Activities Program begins at 2 p.m. on the bay of the Yachats River, where a flotilla of rubber duckies will bob to the finish line. Viewers can gather along the bay to watch. People who bought tickets can listen for their numbers to be drawn and collect prizes from local merchants at the Lions Club beginning at 3 p.m.
• The Yachats Big Band presents its monthly concert in the Commons’ multipurpose room with a patriotic theme. There is a $5 donation requested.
• Fireworks. The show starts about 10 p.m. when pyrotechnics will be launched over the mouth of the Yachats River from a closed area at Yachats State Park.