Here’s the latest news from Oregon’s maritime communities of Astoria and Warrenton. In this update, you’ll find:
- Fine Design: New Downtown Square Gains Recognition
- Weathered Connection: Astoria-Megler Bridge 50th Anniversary in 2016
- Winter in Warrenton: Twinkle Tours at High Life Adventures
- New to the Waterfront: Scoop Shop Opens for Business
- Salty Songs: Fisher Poets Anchor in Astoria Feb. 27, 2015
- Go Dark: Stout Month Returns February 2015
- Baby Ruth! Chunk’s Truffle Shuffle Turns 30
If you would like additional story ideas or more information about anything below, please let me know.
| Thanks! |
| Sara Stewart / Maxwell PR for Travel Astoria-Warrenton |
| (503) 231-3086 / sara@maxwellpr.com1. Fine Design: New Downtown Square Gains Recognition |
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If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a sculpture is worth 200 years of stories. The Garden of Surging Waves, downtown Astoria’s new public square, has been awarded the Oregon Recreation and Parks Association’s (ORPA) Design Award for superior architectural and landscape design. The award is one of nine annual accolades presented by the association.The Garden opened in May 2014, honoring the strides of the Chinese immigrants that helped shape and drive Astoria’s economy over the past 200 years. From working in canneries to building the jetties at the mouth of the mighty Columbia River, Chinese peoples’ collective accomplishments are celebrated and honored in the square where visitors can can reflect on a piece of Astoria’s history. |
| 2. Weathered Connection: Astoria-Megler Bridge 50th Anniversary in 2016 |
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The year 2016 will mark the 50 years that the Astoria-Megler Bridge has towered over the powerful Columbia River, connecting Astoria, Ore., to Washington. At 4.1 miles long, the steel giant is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America.The need for a bridge was evident nearly nine decades years ago. In 1926, ferry service – the only mode of transportation at the time – halted during inclement weather and travel times topped at 30 minutes. After decades of planning and construction, the bridge was dedicated on August 27, 1966 with more than 30,000 people in attendance. The project cost an estimated $24 million, equivalent to $174 million today.Today, the motorist-only bridge closes down once a year in October for the Great Columbia Crossing. The 10K race spans from Dismal Nitch, Wash. to Astoria, Ore. by way of the Astoria-Megler Bridge and garners up to 3,000 runners annually. |
| 3. Winter in Warrenton: Twinkle Tours at High Life Adventures |
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High Life Adventures zip line park in Warrenton, Ore. will again offer Twinkle Tours for the holidays. Every Saturday evening from Nov. 8 – Jan. 31, lanterns and headlights guide zippers across 1,600 feet of line over lush forest on the Oregon Coast during dusk. Post hang time, guests can warm up by bonfire with hot cocoa and cookies in the cabin. Tours start at 5 p.m. and reservations are required; book online or call 503-861-9875. |
| 4. New to the Waterfront: Scoop Shop Open for Business |
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The newest addition to Astoria’s working waterfront, Frite & Scoop officially opened October 2014 and is serving up handcrafted ice cream featuring seasonal flavors like pumpkin pie, roasted strawberry, toasted coconut and more. Ask for a scoop in a krumkake, a Norwegian waffle cookie molded into a bowl with a melted Hershey’s Kiss at the bottom. In the coming months, the shop will begin serving Belgian frites to accompany the ice cream for the perfect combination of salty and sweet. |
| 5. Salty Songs: Fisher Poets Anchor in Astoria Feb. 27, 2015 |
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Anchoring in Astoria for the 18th annual Fisher Poets Gathering, fishermen and women from across North America will gather to share their wind-blown and weathered stories of life on the briny deep. During the three-day event, more than 80 participants will perform emotional poems, rowdy readings and powerful prose inspired by the salty seas at numerous intimate venues downtown, including restaurants, pubs, museums and the beautifully restored Liberty Theater. Find the full schedule here. Admission is $15 to all events throughout the weekend, and free for children and students under 18. |
| 6. Go Dark: Stout Month Returns February Day 2015 |
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Get ready to feast your senses on an array of dark arts and even darker stouts. As days fade to black, Fort George Brewery sheds light on Astoria with its annual Stout Month events, featuring specialty stout creations made with cherries, gourds, hot peppers, chocolate, bourbon barrels and more during the entire month of February. At the height of Stout Month, the Festival of the Dark Arts takes over Fort George Brewery for a night of fire dancers, tarot card readers, tattoo artists, belly dancers, cigar tent, old fashioned photography, live music and more than 60 creative stout samples from around the Northwest.Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your sweetie at Festival of the Dark Arts: 2-10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015; Tickets on sale online only mid-November. |
| 7. Baby Ruth! Chunk’s Truffle Shuffle Turns 30 in 2015 |
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Nearly 30 years ago, The Goonies put the small town of Astoria, Ore. on the (treasure) map. Next summer, film fans will flock to Astoria for the 30th anniversary celebration of the 80s cult classic. Held every year, Goonies Day (officially June 7) attracts thousands of film fanatics to Astoria to experience the area’s mysterious charm and air of adventure that has stayed in the hearts of fans since filming wrapped in 1985.Mark your editorial calendars for the biggest Throwback Thursday of the year with cast and crew reunions, costumed Quote-A-Long film screenings, group Truffle Shuffles, themed beer from Fort George Brewery, film location tours, costume parties and more.Email sara@maxwellpr.com now set up your Goonies 30th media visit. |
If you are working on an article now or would like to brainstorm additional story ideas including Astoria-Warrenton or Oregon’s North Coast, please let me know.
| Thanks! | |
| Sara Stewart / Maxwell PR for Travel Astoria-Warrenton | |
| (503) 231-3085 / sara@maxwellpr.com |
Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed., The Epicurean Explorer
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