Newport Seafood & Wine Festival Happens Later this Month

Being the early bird is the key more than ever these days for lodging, as rooms fill up to 100 percent in the area, including in outlying towns like Depoe Bay, Lincoln City and Waldport.

(NEWPORT) - At the last weekend of every February, the central Oregon coast resort town of Newport swells with well over 17,000 visitors, who come to the annual Newport Seafood & Wine Festival for a weekend of wine, wonders in the culinary world, seafood and arts & crafts.

This year, the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival celebrates its 30th year of cramming hordes of wine and food lovers into a small coastal town, happening February 23 - 25, 2007 - adjacent to the Rogue Ales Warehouse, 2320 OSU Drive, just south of downtown Newport.

More than 120 exhibitors are on hand at this festive and energetic event – including wineries, microbrews, dishes prepared by some of the finest chefs in the western U.S., and arts & crafts booths. Wines from Washington, Oregon and California are spotlighted.

The culinary fireworks include such exotic dishes as calimari, eel, as well as the Oregon coast’s renowned salmon, oysters and Dungeness crab. For those who don’t like seafood, plenty of other food items will be available as well.

Photography, painting, framed exotic fish prints, handcrafted jewelry, original oceanscape paintings, wood carvings, wall hangings and pottery are just a few of the arts and crafts you can expect to find at the festival.

The festival takes place along the stunning tranquility of Yaquina Bay, with its bustling bayfront across the way from the facility hosting the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival. Also for the enjoyment of the visitor are two lighthouses, miles of pristine beaches, the charming, historic Nye Beach area, numerous other legendary dining and wine establishments and some innovative and beautiful lodging possibilities.

Being the early bird is the key more than ever these days for lodging, as rooms fill up to 100 percent in the area, including in outlying towns like Depoe Bay, Lincoln City and Waldport.

“Lodging occupancy usually is 100 percent for the weekend, and bookings several months out or even a year out are common,” said Lorna Davis, Director of Tourism Development for the Newport Chamber. “Those who wait until the last minute to book may be out of luck – unless there’s a last-minute cancellation.”

Economic impact of the festival in the area is huge as well, said Davis. “There are around 17,000 that go through the gate each year, though the population of Newport can and does swell beyond that,” said Davis. “Lodging, dining, retail, grocery and other businesses all look forward to the surge of business this event provides in the dead of winter. It is estimated anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 million dollars come into the community during this time, which is significant given the time of year that the event is held.”

You must be 21 years or older to attend this event. You must also show valid picture ID or you will not be able to enter the event. The site is smoke free and handicapped accessible. Parking at the facility is $3. Shuttles buses will run for free from Newport.