December 2—Annual Holiday Festival

This family-friendly event includes Santa’s official arrival, our traditional Mayor’s Tree Lighting, hayrides, cocoa, cookies and cider, and community carol singing at the beautifully-decorated Gazebo Park and Siuslaw River Interpretive Center park on Bay Street. Stay tuned for details. You may even find a gnome and score a deal at participating retailers! You’ll also be able to sign up for a chance to win some awesome prizes from participating retailers.

November 25—Shop Small Saturday and Cocoa, Cookie & Cider Trail

Sweet deals and sweet treats in Historic Old Town and all-around town! Tour the best shops and galleries on the coast and find the most unique art (2-D and 3-D), jewelry, edibles, décor, coastal-themed gift ideas, and fun, thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list this year in Florence!

November 11—Veteran’s Day in Florence!

Join the Florence community as the annual Veteran's Day Parade returns to the streets of Florence, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Florence Christian Church, 2nd and Ivy Streets. The route winds through Historic Old Town Florence and ends on 1st Street by the Port of Siuslaw Parking lot. Then, tour the Oregon Coast Military Museum and the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum for special tribute exhibits and fascinating history (small admission fees).

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

Rhododendron Festival Schedule

Oregon Coast Military Museum

Oregon Coast Military Museum | OCMM | Florence OR This volunteer-based museum features a remembrance garden, gift shop and a wall of bricks donated by friends and family of veterans.

Whale Watch Week March 28th – Sunday, April 2nd, 2023.

The Whale Camera is live the week of March 28th through April 2nd from 10AM to 2PM Pacific time. Come check it out!

https://orwhalewatch.org/watch-whales-live-2/

Vacation Rental Stays provide you with a unique opportunity.

 As a guest, vacation rentals are a great alternative to hotels in every aspect, offering you much more for your money, including additional space, privacy, convenience, and amenities. 

Vacation rentals  also present you with a unique opportunity to create a more personalized, memorable vacation experience when compared with traditional hotels. 

 You’ll have the practical comfort of an actual residence, the ability to explore the neighborhood, and the opportunity to discover aspects of your destination you might not encounter when staying at a hotel. If you’re vacationing with family, vacation rentals are an excellent option, typically offering multiple bedrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and easy access to local entertainment.

#VacationRentalWeek

Celebrating Vacation Rental Week March 6-10, 2023

 Whales Watch Vacation Rentals is thrilled to participate in the fourth annual Vacation Rental Week! Professionally-managed vacation rentals provide value and benefits for guests and property owners alike. This celebration of Vacation Rental Week is our chance to highlight these and to encourage you to book a stay or entrust your vacation property to a professional manager.

25th Annual Florence Home & Garden Show

Celebrate Spring! 

25^th Annual Florence Home & Garden Show at the Florence Events Center.

• Friday, March 3^rd Noon-6 pm AND Saturday, March 4^th 10 am – 6pm
• Admission:  $2 Adults, $1 Kids, Children 12 & under Free
• Free Admission:  4-6 pm Saturday

Highlights:
Laurel Bay Gardens Centerpiece Design  
Free samples
OSU Extension Service with Master Gardeners & more
$500 Grand Prize Drawing & Door prizes (need not be present to win) 

More than 45 vendor booths featuring products and services for the home & garden. See the Flyer Here.

Presented (Hosted) by:  KCST & KCFM Coast Radio and The Siuslaw News

Sponsored by:  Oregon Pacific Bank, Three Rivers Casino Resort, Central Lincoln PUD & Florence Area Chamber of Commerce.

National Plan for Vacation Day - 1/31/2023

Happy National #PlanForVacation Day! 

This year, we hope you plan to visit Florence, Oregon! Enjoy miles of sandy beach at Heceta Beach
and dune buggy rides in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area while you’re here, but most importantly, take advantage of the benefits—from reducing stress to preventing burn out—of planning for an unforgettable adventure.

Circles in the Sand -10/8/2022

 

We are excited to travel north next week for our 5th annual Circles in the Sand draw at Heceta Beach, in front of Driftwood Shores Resort and Conference Center in Florence, Oregon. The labyrinth walk will be on Saturday, October 8th, 2022, starting at 5:00 PM.

For more information.

Vintage Trailer Rally at Heceta Beach RV Park October 8th

 

Rollin' retro with a healthy helping of kitsch and camp: that's what's in store for the central Oregon coast burgh of Florence this weekend. Dozens of kooky trailers, gussied up in all manner of wacky exteriors takes to the roads on Saturday, October 8 noon to 3pm at Heceta Beach RV Park. 

Deja View's story on Riparide by Hannah.

Hidden at the end of the lane on the Oregon's Central Coast, this beachfront property is a time capsule and the perfect place to recharge.

From the moment you step inside, you’ll be charmed by the retro elegance of this home. With a wet bar, vintage pool table and bedroom set up on the second floor overlooking the ocean, you’ll find yourself reconnecting with friends over a game of poker or shooting a round of pool while the sun sets behind you.

The home is spacious and well equipped to house a small group, with four beds, upper and lower-level decks and patios, two bathrooms, multiple dining areas and plenty of space to connect by the fire. Just outside the front door, a private drive takes you down a hidden path through the dunes to the beach – you’ll enjoy a quiet stretch of the coast all to yourself, perfect for an afternoon picnic or a late-night bonfire with good company. More.....

Third Annual Vacation Rental Week - March 7-11, 2022

Whales Watch Vacation Rentals is thrilled to participate in the third annual Vacation Rental Week! Professionally-managed vacation rentals provide value and benefits for guests and property owners alike. This celebration of Vacation Rental Week is our chance to highlight these and to encourage you to book a stay or entrust your vacation property to a professional manager. 

 As a guest, vacation rentals are a great alternative to hotels in every aspect, offering you much more for your money, including additional space, privacy, convenience, and amenities. As we continue navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to point out vacation rentals offer a cleaner, more socially-distanced experience as well, with less touchpoints and outside interaction compared to hotels. 

Vacation rentals also present you with a unique opportunity to create a more personalized, memorable vacation experience when compared with traditional hotels. You’ll have the practical comfort of an actual residence, the ability to explore the neighborhood, and the opportunity to discover aspects of your destination you might not encounter when staying at a hotel. If you’re vacationing with family, vacation rentals are an excellent option, typically offering multiple bedrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and easy access to local entertainment.

#VacationRentalWeek

2/18-2/20 Annual Wine & Chowder Trails and Great Glass Float Giveaway

 Join us for this fun filled three day weekend in Florence! Friday, Saturday, and Sunday search for and enter to win hidden glass floats around town. On Saturday stroll through Old Town and sample wines from a dozen of Oregon’s finest wineries. On Sunday be your own judge and let us know which is your favorite chowder from the dozen different samples available all along Bay Street. Glass Float Hunt & Chowder Trail passports ($5 each) are available Friday at the Visitors Center (290 Hwy 101) and in Old Town at Gazebo Park Saturday and Sunday. Commemorative Wine Trail glasses and tasting tickets will be on sale at Gazebo Park in Old Town Saturday. Glasses are $5 and tickets are $1 each. Live music, surprise performances, and more. Register for wine pairing dinners, clam digging clinics, and other events!

For more information: FlorenceChamber.com, 541-997-3128

Battle the Burnout Blues

 Battle the Burnout Blues Need a vacation? You’re not the only one. 

The stress of living with the pandemic for nearly two years has taken a toll on workers’ mental health. According to a study from Destination Analysts, more than two-thirds (68%) of American workers feel at least moderately burned out and 13% are extremely burned out. 

This National Plan for Vacation Day, the U.S. travel industry is doing its part to combat the burnout blues by encouraging Americans to plan all of their days off for the year at the beginning of the year. We’re joining organizations across the country to share tips, planning resources, destination ideas and other incentives for Americans to get the most out of their earned time off. If you need some vacation inspiration, check out Whales Watch Vacation Rentals is offering a one day discount of 20% off of a new booking on National Plan your Vacation day. Use Code:  [OregonVacation] 

Take some time on January 25 to dream of—and plan for—brighter days.

#PlanForVacation