The Fishermen’s Memorial Walk on the East end of Newport’s Historic Bayfront District is a wonderful place to take a walk or make a stop when visiting Newport. The meandering walkway, constructed in 2001, begins at Englund Marine and ends where it meets the boardwalk that runs along the harbor.

Tiles commemorating Newport fishermen who were lost at sea are spaced at intervals throughout the walk. Each tile lists the name of the fisherman lost at sea, the date and the F/V (fishing vessel). There are over 100 recorded fishermen from Newport who were lost at sea, with the oldest recorded in 1920 and the most recent in 2007. Moored fishing boats and rows of crab rings along the walk act as a backdrop for this special area of the Newport Historic Bayfront and as a reminder of the work these men did.

In addition to the Fishermen’s Memorial Walk, the Fishermen’s Memorial Sanctuary at Yaquina State Park serves as a place to honor the fishermen lost at sea. For more information on the Fishermen’s Memorial Sanctuary, visit the Newport Fishermen’s Wives website.

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There are lots of interesting things to see in Newport. A popular attraction is watching the male sea lions that congregate on a dock in Yaquina Bay at Port Dock One in Newport’s Historic Bayfront District. It’s fascinating to watch them as they seem to play a game of “King of the Mountain” by barking and growling at other sea lions that try to slide onto the dock or snuggle up close to them.

Sea lions have been coming to this dock for over 15 years after they took over the dock that was built for recreational boaters. Over the years the dock deteriorated from storms and from the weight of the half ton sea lions until it was finally destroyed by winter storms last year. Currently, the sea lions have been provided with a narrow dock that is on loan until a new one can be built.

Male sea lions can be seen in Yaquina Bay and along the Oregon Coast during most of the year except around the month of July when they migrate south to breed. Most of the female sea lions live year round in the warmer waters of California. Sea lions can also be seen basking in the sun on jetties or on buoys in Yaquina Bay.

For more information on a replacement dock for the sea lions and a new viewing area for visitors, visit the Newport Sea Lion Docks Foundation website.

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A section of the 66-foot Japanese dock that washed up on Agate Beach June 5, 2012 was recently mounted outside the entrance of the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. The slice of dock, weighing seven tons, will be part of the HMSC educational tsunami awareness exhibit and will also serve as a memorial in honor of the victims of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Uses for the remainder of the dock are being considered. Preparations are currently underway to get the exhibit ready for the official Commemoration Celebration at 2:00 PM, March 10, 2013. This event is free and open to the public.

The section of dock on exhibit is from one of four docks moored in Misawa, Japan that were swept out to sea during the March 2011 tsunami. Two docks drifted inland of Misawa. The other two docks journeyed 5,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean until one washed up on Agate Beach on the Oregon Coast and the other washed ashore on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.

Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center is open to the public. Admission is free, but a suggested donation of $5. per person or $20. per family is gratefully accepted. The center’s exhibits feature marine life, marine research and coastal environment.

HMSC Hours:

• Winter: Open 10 am – 4 pm Thursdays thru Mondays from Labor Day until Memorial Day weekend. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. During Spring Whale Watch Week open from 10 am to 5 pm.
• Summer: Open 10 am – 5 pm seven days a week from Memorial Day until Labor Day. During Winter Whaler Watch Week open daily from 10 am – 4 pm (unless one of the winter dates falls on Christmas or New Year’s). Closed Dec. 24, 25.

For more information on the Japanese Tsunami dock exhibit and the Hatfield Marine Science Center, visit the Hatfield Marine Science Center website.

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There are a lot of interesting things to see in Newport. One impressive site is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Marine Operations Center-Pacific (MOC-P) facility and its Pacific research fleet based on Yaquina Bay in Newport.

The NOAA site in Newport serves as homeport for five research and survey ships (Bell M. Shimada, Ka’imimoana, McArthur II, Oscar Dyson and Rainier). The vessels are generally out to sea conducting research missions during the spring and summer and moored in the winter for repairs and restocking.

NOAA is the US government’s oldest scientific agency. Its roots stretch back to the early 1800′s. Today NOAA’s work includes protecting our coasts, forecasting our weather, monitoring our atmosphere, managing our fisheries, exploring our oceans, charting our waterways, understanding our climate, and conserving maritime heritage.

Annual Blessing of the Fleet

March 16, 2013

Come and watch The Annual Blessing of the Fleet and boat parade on Yaquina Bay in Newport on Saturday, March 16, 2013. The blessing and boat parade will begin at 1:00 PM. The Blessing of the Fleet has been the custom since the early 1950′s of asking for prayers for protection at sea, bountiful catches, and peace of mind for the families at home.

The Blessing is open to any and all who wish to ask blessings on their fishing vessel, charter vessel, pleasure craft, or research vessel. Anyone wishing to participate can pick up a vessel registration form at Schiewe Marine or Englund Marine Supply. For information, visit the Newport Chamber or contact 541-574-5555.

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It is time to mark your calendars and make plans for the 36th annual Newport Seafood & Wine Festival! Wineries and food purveyors will be offering their very best choices of food and drink at the festival. Sample award winning wines by knowledgeable representatives.

Purchase your on-line admission tickets early to guarantee entry into the festival and avoid waiting in long lines. Food items and wine tasting prices at the festival range from $1. and up. In addition to “tastes”, wineries will be selling bottles and cases of their wine. Wine tasting glasses may be purchased on-line or at the festival. All persons attending the festival must be 21 years old. A valid ID is required.

Reserve your ocean view room at the Whaler by calling 1-800-433-9444. Free shuttle busses will run on a regular basis from the front door of the Whaler to the festival. Shuttle bus maps and schedules are available at the front desk. Parking at the festival is $5.00. Cab service is also available for a fee. An extended free bus shuttle to hotels & restaurants will be offered on Saturday evening from 6-10:30pm.

For advanced admission ticket purchase and information visit http://seafoodandwine.com.

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The Whale Watching Spoken Here program helps visitors spot gray whales and learn about them. This program offers 24 whale watching sites along the Oregon Coast twice a year. Trained volunteers are at these sites from 10:00am to 1:00pm during the Whale Watching Weeks.

2012-2013 Whale Watching Weeks
Winter: December 26-30, 2012
Spring: March 23-30, 2013

Two whale watching information sites are located in Newport. One location is at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area at the north end of Newport. The second information site is in the gazebo at Donald A. Davis Park, located across the street from the Whaler Motel.

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December is a delightful time to come to Newport. Festive decorations throughout this coastal town make it a charming place to visit during the holiday season.

And, there are lots of D’Lightful things to do…

Oregon Coast Aquarium Holiday Lights

The Oregon Coast Aquarium will celebrate their 20th Annual Sea of Lights celebration on Friday & Saturday, November 30 and December 1, 2012 from 6:30pm – 9:00pm. Stroll through the Aquarium grounds and enjoy thousands of colorful twinkling lights, holiday music and displays. Children can visit Santa in his workshop and enjoy free holiday face painting.

Admission is $2.00 per person with two items of non-perishable food, pet food or new unwrapped children’s toy for the Food Share of Lincoln County, the Newport Fire Department Holiday Toy Drive and Lincoln County Animal Shelter. An admission fee of $5.00 will be charged for persons without food or toy.

Annual Yaquina Bay Lighted Boat Parade

The Annual Yaquina Bay Lighted Boat Parade will begin at dusk on Saturday, December 1, 2012. Enjoy watching local boats decorated with festive lights while they parade along Newport’s Historic Bayfront. For reservations/fees to ride on one of the boats in the parade call Marine Discovery Tours at 541-265-6200.

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There are always interesting things to do in Newport…how about a Glass Float Treasure Hunt?

Come to Newport during the months of November 1, 2012 through January 31, 2013 and join in the fun of the “Treasures of the Sea” Glass Float Treasure Hunt. Start your treasure hunt with a treasure map of participating business where you will have a chance to win a beautiful hand-blown glass float. Each glass float is a unique, one-of-a-kind treasure created by the Edge Glass Blowing of Newport.

The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce will have a drawing for a glass float once a week during the hunt. For more information, visit the Glass Float Treasure Hunt page on the Newport Chamber of Commerce website.

For a chance to win a beautiful glass float, start your hunt at the Whaler. We’ll provide you with a treasure map that will lead you to other locations in Newport where you can enter to win a “Treasures of the Sea” glass float.

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There are lots Spook-tacular things to do in Newport on Saturday, October 27, 2012.

Creatures of the Night

The Oregon Coast Aquarium presents Creatures of the Night on Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Wander through the Aquarium to experience Halloween fun with scary creatures from the deep! This event will help provide food for Food Share and/or the Lincoln County Animal Shelter.

Admission: $2 per person plus two cans of non-perishable food or $5 per person without food items. Note: This event can be scary for young children or for those who are more sensitive. Children under ten are advised not to attend. For more information visit www.aquarium.org.

Scary-Okie – Shake, Rattle & Roll!

The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce presents its 4th annual Scary-Okie. Shake, rattle & roll on Saturday, October 27, 2012. Wear a costume or dress as you are and join an evening of Halloween fun! Eerily complimentary wine and beer social, spooktacular dinner, prizes for the best costumes, Karaoke & dancing.

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at the Best Western Agate Beach Inn Admission: $30/Ticket or $295/Table of 8. Contact the Chamber office to purchase tickets at (541) 265-8801. For more information visit www.newportchamber.org. RSVP by October 22, 2012.

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There are always interesting things to do in Newport. How about opera on a Saturday?

The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts presents the 2012-2013 Metropolitan Opera Live in HD at the Newport Performing Arts Center.

Plan a trip to Newport during the scheduled productions to see breathtaking live HD performances at the Met. Enjoy live interviews of opera stars, crews, production teams and behind the scenes of what goes on back stage. You will be captivated during the entire production.

• October 13: L’Elisir d’Amore (Donizetti) 10am-1:05pm
• November 17: Otello (Verdi) 10am-1:30pm
• November 24: The Tempest (Ades) 10am-1:30pm
• December 1: La Clemenza di Tito (Mozart) 10am-1:15 pm
• December 8: Un Ballo in Maschera (Verdi) 10am-2pm
• December 15: Aida (Verdi) 10am-2pm
• January 5: Les Troyens (Berlioz) 9am-2:45pm
• January 19: Maria Stuarada (Donizetti) 10am-1:15pm
• February 16: Rigoletto (Verdi) 10am-1:35pm
• March 16: Francesca di Rimini (Zandonai) 9am-1pm
• April 6: Parsifal (Wagner) 9am-2:45pm
• April 27: Giulio Cesare (Handel) 9am-1:35pm

For information and tickets, call the Newport Performing Arts Center Box Office at 541-265-2787 or 1-800-701-7123, or visit www.coastarts.org.

The Whaler Motel is located adjacent to the Newport Performing Arts Center.

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