More Regatta Photos: This Time from Stephanie

Thanks to Stephanie Roley for all of the photos on today's post. She was also at the end of the parade at the corner of Commercial and 15th Streets, but she braved the heat and moved around more than I did. She also started earlier. This year, the Port of Astoria is 100 years old. There's always a Regatta Queen, and this is her float.

This photo is for Francisca. I took one also, but I didn't get a good shot, so I'm glad to have Stephanie's photo.

The ladybug in a tutu has had enough. I saw him from the back, so I was able to get the correct identificastion.

This looks familiar: A trolley and a lighthouse.

How to cool off while maintaining decorum, because . . .

. . . it's not over yet! By the way, although I don't know what the construction is about directly behind these ladies, the festivities behind the construction are the tail end of the parade, which starts on Duane, wraps around one block near the post office, and snakes back to the starting point along Commercial. Fort George Brewery, located behind the yellow tent, puts on an open-air event to go along with many of the local events.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Fun at the Regatta Parade

The annual Astoria Regatta Festival is 116 years old, and this year it celebrates the Port of Astoria's 100th birthday. The parade took place yesterday on one of the only really hot days we've had all year. It was 90 degrees, which for here is scorching. I got my first glimpse of the participants along the River Walk after they'd finished the parade route.

Then I ambled my way across Marine Drive to watch from the shaded corner of Commercial and 15th Streets, a mere two blocks from the end of the official parade route. Some hot and tired participants chose to turn left onto 15th Street (on our right) and make an early escape. I watched from under the shade of this tree with a plastic bottle of ice and fruit juice. Especially today, I'd rather be the photographer.

This was one of my favorites, the "Get A Life Marching Band" from Portland, whose slogan is, "We eat better than we play." I believe this is true, because otherwise they would all be starving, and clearly they were not all starving. All of the members have three things in common. Check out their site to see what they are. I imagine they have a lot of fun.

Trying to keep the "Get A Life" dog cool. What is a parade without a hotdog or two?

These are not hot dogs, but very hot tigers from the Cub Scouts. If the parade had only taken place a few hours later, they would have been the ones smiling. The marine layer came in and dropped the temperature back to Astoria's typical summer high 50s or low 60s.

I usually don't like clowns, but I always enjoy the ones in the Astoria Regatta parade. They're laid back and colorful. Whatever it is, I like them.

Watch out, Clown.

The woman with the white face is suffering from Clown Kissing Syndrome. It seems they know each other.

Here is one of the beautiful Daughters of Neptune. You may need to enlarge the photo for the full effect . . . or not.

Wells Fargo had a nice stagecoach, but what I really liked were the sleek horses.

Ronald is joined in his big red shoe by a couple of friends.

This is my favorite float, the Astoria High School Class of 1960. I got to the parade late, so I missed some of the first floats, but this would probably still be my favorite.

And this was my favorite music. This percussion group from Portland (I think) was hot in the right way and got an ovation. By this point in the parade, many of the bands were too dripping hot and tired to play anything.

They look cool and lovely, but I can assure you, these ladies in their navy blue gowns and spiky heels were finished.

Another hot dog, anyone?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Astoria Regatta: Vikings on parade

We have another guest photographer today, as Stephanie Roley took this photo of the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Float during the August 15th Regatta parade in Astoria, Oregon. Many of Astoria's early settlers were Scandinavian, and people I know can still remember when you'd hear these native languages spoken on the street. This is no longer true today, although you occasionally hear the accents. I loved the viking ship and colorful blue water on this float. From left, the shields on the boat represent the flags of the US, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland. Thanks, Stephanie, for sending today's photo!

I believe that the building behind the float is a care facility for geriatric patients, but I'll check on it, or if you know, please tell me! It may have been part of the original St. Mary's hospital. I hate to throw info out there without checking, but business is calling. . . .

. Today is Watery Wednesday, and I'm using this photo as my contribution. After all, who can picture a Viking ship without thinking of water? See all the blue? You've seen plenty of water around Astoria. Today the water is representational and imaginary :)

Regatta: US Coast Guard Search and Rescue demo

Jamie Schluckebier took this photo and sent it for today's blog post. The photo was taken Saturday evening during a US Coast Guard Search and Rescue demo as part of Regatta Weekend in Astoria. As most of you know by now, this massive body of water is the Columbia River, separating Oregon from Washington, and the bridge is the Astoria-Megler bridge, which joins the two states. The picture was taken from the 17th Street Pier adjacent to the Maritime Museum. I've been in Bend all week, so I missed the festivities. I've had a good time here, but I wish I'd been able to see that event! Thanks so much, Jamie, for sending this dramatic photo.