Celebrate an Old-Fashioned 4th of July in Newport

Events include a clambake and seafood barbecue and fireworks over Yaquina Bay.

Newport Clambake circa 1900. Photo courtesy: Lincoln County Historical Society

(NEWPORT) - The City of Newport invites visitors to recapture the fun of a family-friendly, old-fashioned 4th of July with a small-town flavor.

This coastal community will celebrate the holiday weekend in traditional style, beginning with a clambake and seafood barbecue at historic Nye Beach on Saturday, July 1st from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM The annual fireworks display will take place over Yaquina Bay at dusk on Tuesday, July 4th.

From the late 1800s through 1918, Newport residents celebrated the 4th of July with a clambake at Nye Beach and four years ago the tradition was revived. "We wanted to bring back the clambake not only to celebrate Independence Day, but to create a means to help our local non-profit organizations and schools raise needed funds," said organizer Berniece Hammon.

The clambake and seafood barbecue, sponsored by the Nye Beach Merchants Association, will be held in the restored Nye Beach area, located five blocks west of Pacific Coast Highway 101 off NW Third Street.

The event will feature fare from local vendors, including steamer clams, clam chowder, barbecued salmon, seafood gumbo, shrimp cocktails, barbecued oysters, corn on the cob and more. No alcohol will be served and there will be traditional games for kids, making this the perfect start of a weekend of fun for the whole family.

Throughout the day there'll be live music to suit any taste, including rock, jazz, folk and oldies. The Lincoln County Historical Society will give walking tours of the historic neighborhood and horse-drawn carriage rides will be available for $2 per person. There's no admission charge and parking is free at the Performing Arts Center or on nearby streets.

"Vendors at our 4th of July event are primarily local non-profit organizations and last year thousands of dollars were raised to help these organizations," Hammon said.

Since its establishment in 1866 by John Nye, Nye Beach has been a destination for visitors to the Oregon coast. Today, the historic area continues as a pedestrian friendly district offering a variety of options for lodging, fine and casual dining, shopping and visual and performing arts. Picnic tables, an oceanfront parking lot, public restrooms and a foot-wash make the area a wonderful place to enjoy the beach.

With a world-class aquarium and marine science center, lighthouses, galleries and an enticing variety of restaurants and hotels, Newport offers fun for the whole family. Call the Newport Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-262-7844 or visit www.DiscoverNewport.com for more information or to request a free Destination Newport Passport that may be presented to participating Newport attractions for discounts and special offers at restaurants, shops, hotels, attractions, tours and more.