As businesses and events are slowly beginning to resume operations after being closed for over a year, if you’re looking forward to live music and other community events again, this article is for you! The following can’t miss live summer events on the North Coast are a perfect way to ease back into social gatherings, and many are free family-friendly activities! Still, we recommend that you confirm with the event before you head out, and please comply with any pandemic safety measures in place.
Sunday Market Astoria
The 2021 Astoria Sunday Market season opened May 9th and runs through October 10th
The market welcomes shoppers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday on 12th Street in downtown Astoria. It stretches from 12th Street from Marine Drive to Exchange St. with various arts, crafts, fresh produce, and culinary delights! It’s perfect for kids of all ages!
Saturday Market at the Port of Ilwaco at the Marina
The Saturday Market at the Port of Ilwaco is celebrating its 20th year! The market features more than 70 vendors in a pedestrian-only waterfront village overlooking the Port of Ilwaco marina and Baker Bay. You’ll find regional produce, fantastic baked goods, a variety of local plants, and many homemade arts and crafts.
Columbia Pacific Farmers Market
The Columbia-Pacific Farmers’ Market is where the region’s good food and farm crafts are sold directly from those who farm, ranch, fish, grow, produce packaged foods, or create farm-based crafts. The market supports working food producers, honoring their way of life, celebrating unparalleled food, and coming together as a community. It is the perfect place to shop and have fun. They are located in downtown Long Beach, at Veteran’s Field every Friday from 12 p,m. to 5 p.m. Customers appreciate the fresh produce, seafood, meat, eggs, dairy, locally-made baked goods, flowers and plants, and more. There isn’t a better way to start your weekend at the beach.
2nd Saturday Art Walk of Astoria
The always popular 2nd Saturday Art Walk is the 2nd Saturday of every month starting at 5:00 p.m. in downtown Astoria, year-round. Visit downtown Astoria on the 2nd Saturday of every month for art, refreshments, entertainment, music, creative outbursts, and general merriment! Brought to you by the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association
Sandsations, July 27th-Aug 1st, FREE ADMISSION
This annual sand-sculpting extravaganza known as Sandsations returns to Long Beach for four days of fun and activities! The event is open to sandcastle builders of every age and skill level. Watch live as it unfolds near the Bolstad Beach approach and along the shoreline of Long Beach.
Jiva Yoga Festival, Aug 27th-29th, Ocean Park, WA
Nurture your mind, body, and spirit and celebrate health and wellness as you make new like-minded friends, deepen your yoga practice, and attend fun informative workshops from renowned experts on the subjects of meditation, happiness, nutrition, and more. Reconnect with nature through outdoor recreation, such as kayaking, horseback riding on the beach, zip-lining, and walks along the surf. Sit by the campfire, enjoy live music, gaze at the stars, and relax by the Pacific Ocean in one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest. For more information, visit www.jivayogafest.com
Clatsop County Fair Tuesday, July 27, 2021 to Saturday, July 31, 2021 – 10:00am-10:00pm everyday
Aside from the usual fair events of rides, animals, food, and displays of homemade things….you can see two concerts.
Gates open at 6 p.m. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Steve Augeri has classic and current hits like Don’t Stop Believing, Faithfully, Anyway You Want It, Open Arms, and many more! Reserved seats can be purchased for upfront seating or general admission for lawn seating. Bring a lawn chair and blanket. Tickets start at only $30.
TWO GREAT CLATSOP COUNTY FAIR CONCERTS SCHEDULED
Josh Turner will be performing with Special Guest Jessie Leigh! Gates will open at 6 p.m., and the concert will begin at 7 p.m.! Josh Turner has classic and current hits like Long Black Train, Your Man, Firecracker, Why Don’t We Just Dance, Would You Go With Me, and many more! Special Guest, Jessie Leigh, is a local, up-and-coming artist with lots of grit and an excellent singing voice. Sit in the reserved section upfront, or purchase non-assigned seats on the lawn. Feel free to bring a lawn chair and blanket, but don’t bring oversized chairs because it could block other attendee’s views of the concert.
Steve Augeri, Former Lead Singer of Journey, Clatsop County Fairgrounds, July 31st
Washington State International Kite Festival, Aug 16-22nd, FREE ADMISSION
The Washington State International Kite Festival is a week-long kite celebration and competition held annually during the third full week of August in Long Beach, WA. Starting on Monday and ending on Sunday, this breathtaking festival features skies full of color, high flying action, and choreographed movement. Washington’s Kite Festival draws famous kite fliers from around the world and thousands of awed spectators, many of whom participate in the fun with their own kite flying adventures. Enjoy contests, workshops, a lighted kite show, vendor offerings, and more.
Slow Drags, Port of Ilwaco, Sept 10th, 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. FREE ADMISSION
It’s the most fun you can have on four wheels! This coasting competition is something you have to experience to understand. Bring your chair and watch classic cars, rat rods, unique vehicles, and themed cars coast their way to the finish line. Always held the Friday of Rod Run weekend at the Port of Ilwaco. Pre-registration and fee required to participate. Space is limited for participation. Download a registration form at www.portofilwaco.com. An Ilwaco Merchants Association event. Practice starts at 3:30, and the race begins at 5 p.m.
Rod Run to the End of the World, Sept 11th-12th, Ocean Park, WA
From Model Ts to muscle cars and even classic motorcycles, the Rod Run to the End of the World features acres of automobiles and plenty of chrome eye candy for everyone! Held in Ocean Park, Rod Run attendees also enjoy food, music, craft vendors, and a swap meet. The cost is free – $5.00
Northwest Garlic Festival, Sep 18-19th, FREE ADMISSION
Celebrate the passion for this exalted bulb with the faithful throngs who make their annual pilgrimage to the NW Garlic Festival at the Port of the Peninsula overlooking Willpapa Bay in Ocean Park, WA. This GARLIC Olympics of Gastronomy is not held because of the region’s GARLIC growing ability, but for its love of delicious GARLIC laden cuisine!
