Summer Secrets: Rhododendron Festival in Florence, Oregon

Once a year the streets of Florence, Oregon are filled with people and filled with Rhododendrons. The Rhododendron Festival has been going on for 100 years now and draws people from far and near to this small coastal town of 7,000.

The Rhododendron Festival started in 1908 in Florence and with the support of many surrounding communities, including Glenada, Westlake, Mapleton, Swisshome, and Deadwood. Since early on Rhododendron’s (also known as Rhody’s) have been known to cover these areas and represented the onset of summer.

Before the Siuslaw River Bridge was built, festival goers arrived on boats decorated with hundreds of Rhody’s and the ships laden with Rhododendron Princesses. Ferries also brought people from farther up the river as the festival grew through the years.

From the 1930’s and through today Bay Street in Florence has become a second home to hundreds of motorcycles that come every year for the events. Everything from Harley’s and hogs to some Japanese and German models find themselves lining the street.

The festival runs for three days, this year they are May 17, 18 and 19, and is full of events and activities. Friday you can take part in the Three Rivers Casino/Community Cash Partners Poker Run, attend the Rhododendron Elementary School Music Program or the Coronation of this year’s Rhododendron Queen and her court.

On Saturday there will be another Poker Run, the 29^th Annual 5K & 10K Rhody Run, the Siuslaw River Boat Regala, the 15^th Annual Rhododendron Show ‘n’ Shine Car Show, the 16^th Annual Siuslaw Rod & Gun Show, a Scratch Bowling Tournament, the Ladies of the Elks Pie & Plant Sale, the Coast Radio Car Cruise, the Lil’ Cutie Contest Awards Ceremony, the Rhody Festival Junior Parade, Kiwanis kids games, the Rhody Mosey, a Slug Race, a free concert at Old Football Field, lots of children’s activities, fireworks on the river at dusk and the celebration of Armed Forces Day with a Military Exhibit.

On Sunday the events start to wind down with a breakfast from 7-11 am, another Scratch Bowling Tournament in the afternoon, the continuation of the Ladies of the Elks plant sale and of course, the notorious Grand Floral Parade which starts at noon.

There are also many activities that are going on throughout the duration of the weekend and can be visited on any of the days of the festivities. These activities include: the Davis Amusement Carnival, a display by the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum, the Elks Chicken Barbeque, 47^th Annual Florence Arts & Crafts Association Show and Sale, American Rhododendron Society Festival Show, Sand Master Park sand boarders demos, the Y Marina Boat Show, a vendor fair, the Mapleton Student Art Show, and “The Moving Wall”. The Moving Wall is the traveling Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and will be present from May 17-21 in Miller Park.

As you can see there is something for everyone at this year’s 100^th Annual Rhododendron Festival in Florence, Oregon. This festival has been a beloved mainstay on our coast for a hundred years and has grown in the hearts of all of those who visit us from around the country. We would love to have you stop by and take part in the festivities that help to celebrate the start and flourishing of our small coastal communities here in Oregon. For more information on anything you read here, please visit the Rhody Fest website at:

www.florencechamber.com/evrhody-begin/rhodyfest.html