Circles in The Sand October 14, 2023

 The nationally celebrated Circles in the Sand beach art returns to Florence October 14 on the beach at Driftwood Shores Resort and Conference Center from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.

 
“This is always an uplifting event at a great time of year to visit Florence’s beaches,” said Bettina Hannigan, president/CEO of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. “People come from all over. It’s wildly artistic, spiritually uplifting for many, and incredibly unique among beach events anywhere in the country.”
 
A giant labyrinth will be carved in the sand beginning at 3:00 p.m. by expert sand artist Denny Dyke.
A public walkthrough begins around 5:00 p.m. High tide is at 1:17 p.m., low tide will be at 7:54 p.m., and sunset will be at 7:02 p.m., making this window of time a prime opportunity for families and friends to enjoy the wide swaths of uncrowded beach for treasure hunting, sandcastle making, and creating lasting memories here in Oregon’s Coastal Playground.
 
The event is free to attend and will be held rain or shine. NBC Nightly News gave national coverage to Dykes’ beach labyrinth events in September 2019. Note: parking is at a premium, so organizers ask the public’s respect for neighbor’s property and recommend carpooling. The event is sponsored by Driftwood Shores Resort and Conference Center, Sea Lion Caves, Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, Lofy Construction, Sand Dunes Frontier, Sand Master Park/Venomous Sandboards, BJ’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, and Mo’s Seafood Restaurant. Shuttle service will be available, stay tuned for more information.

September 30, 2023 GOIN’ WITH THE FLO: VINTAGE TRAILERS RETURN TO FLORENCE

 

Experience a blast from the past at the sixth annual Goin' with the Flo Vintage Trailer Community Open House in Florence! On September 30, 2023, from noon to 3:00 p.m., Heceta Beach RV Park will showcase over 35 whimsically adorned vintage travel trailers, some meticulously restored and others still undergoing refurbishment. Engage with passionate owners eager to share their insights on trailer restoration and the enduring allure of this travel trend. Additionally, discover unique vintage-inspired crafts from artisans like The Watering Can Pottery and Rusty Ass Designs, adding an extra flair to this nostalgic gathering.

 
Terry and Dan Hankins, event coordinators and proud owners of classic Airstreams and a 1960s Streamline, invite you to relish in Florence's vibrant antiquing, thrifting, and garage sale scene. Make it a weekend getaway and revel in the treasures waiting to be unearthed. For further details on Goin’ with the Flo, reach out to xplodingwhale@gmail.com or find us on Facebook under "Goin' with the Flo Vintage Trailer Rally". Need directions? Contact Heceta Beach RV Park at 541-997-7664. Join us for a retro rendezvous you won't want to miss!

September 23 will be “biblio-rific!”

 If you like books, you’ll love the Florence Festival of Books! Saturday, September 23. You’ll find books, books, and more books, exhibited by more than 60 authors and publishers—plus great panel speakers, workshops for aspiring writers, and chef-prepared foods for purchase. It’s gonna be one big “biblio-rific” day at the Florence Events Center! Explore the 7000 sq. ft. exhibition hall (with all those books) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and grow your library with works signed by their authors. And don’t miss the 4:30 keynote address with author and event cofounder Judy Fleagle. Basic admission just two dollars, workshops add $3, under 12 free. Get more details at FlorenceFestivalOfBooks.com or find them on Facebook.

HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE IN OREGON - 'Ring of Fire' event on Oct. 14, 2023

If you live in Oregon or visited six years ago, you’ll probably remember where you were during the total solar eclipse of Aug. 21, 2017.

Many of us traveled to be in the “path of totality,” grabbed our protective eclipse glasses and brought a picnic to enjoy our viewing as a moment we, and our kids, could look back to as one of those times in the history of the Earth you just don’t forget.

Another astronomical event is on the horizon, this time an “annular solar eclipse” that will also be visible within a certain path that stretches throughout four regions of Oregon: parts of the Coast and the Willamette Valley, a tiny bit of Central Oregon and much of Southern Oregon.

“We’ll see the silhouette of the moon; a lot of people are amazed how the moon can cover the sun,” says Jim Todd, director of space education at OMSI in Portland. “The experience is awe-inspiring, beautiful, amazing, and right here in our own backyard — hopefully it will be clear.” While Todd is a lifelong educator, scientist and eclipse-chaser as well as president of the Rose City Astronomers, the eclipse is an event he encourages everyone to experience.

How can you see the eclipse? Why is it special? What else can you do on your trip? Here’s everything you need to know.

See More at Travel Oregon