It’s Dungeness crab season on the Oregon Coast, the perfect time to escape those winter doldrums, buoy your spirits and feast on fresh-caught Dungeness crab amidst the bracing climes that await you here.
The People’s Coast is serving up a feast for all your senses this winter (the photo of the fresh Dungeness crab is by courtesy of the Oregon Coast Visitors Association). Taste the delights of the deep at the annual Jambalaya Cook-off at the Culinary Center in Lincoln City on January 30 – admission is free, with tasting sized portions available for a small fee. It features a live cooking demonstration.
Or enjoy the 3rd annual Wine, Beer, Seafood & Music Festival: Confluence 2010 in Gardiner from February 12 to 14. Situated between Florence and Coos Bay on the southern end of the Central Coast, this event will take place at the old W.F. Jewett School building in Gardiner. Events include a “Wine Taster’s Dinner”, many bands performing various genres of music, and Oregon wine and microbrewery tastings. Sunday offers chowder samplings during the annual Reedsport and Winchester Bay Chowder Cook-Off.
Hear three days of tall tales and traditional songs of the sea by FisherPoets on the Edge in Newport from January 16 to 18. And talking about cutting edge - there’s even the 25th annual Barbershop Cabaret Show in Seaside on January 15 and 16.
The 5th annual Jazz in January in Newport is on January 23. An exciting night of music, food and drink benefiting the preservation and restoration of the Yaquina Lighthouses.
The annual Winter Folk Festival in Florence on Saturday and Sunday January 23 and 24 offers two days filled with top folk music talent from across the US, including Misty River and The Brothers Four, jam sessions, workshops, crafts, demonstrations and food featuring the Amateur Pie Contest.
Earlier in the month, on Saturday afternoon January 9 be in Florence for the G.A.L.A. Art Walk. Five Florence galleries full of fine art and gifts invite you to hop on the tour bus. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments along the way. Or you can visit the galleries on your own.
Uncover a chance to win $10,000 in gold coins in - where else - Gold Beach. Its city-wide “Stay & Win $10,000 in Gold” gives visitors a chance to win $10,000 in gold coins now through September 2010. Gold Beach offers a variety of very affordable lodging options and great seafood! While in Gold Beach this winter; whale & storm watch, take in a concert & theater performance, visit the fabulous ‘Gold Rush Center’ art exhibits and others.
For more information about top events in Oregon, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Oregon at http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-oregon.html
Or, take a look at the official web site for Oregon Coast at http://visittheoregoncoast.com/