Small town family fun in a BIG way
Recognized as one of the most spectacular Independence Day celebrations on the Northern Oregon Coast, Rockaway Beach is the premier place to be on the Fourth of July. Celebrate with the Rockaway Beach Parade at 11 a.m. and keep the patriotic spirit going all day long with a host of holiday festivities that generally includes:
- The Annual Dachshund Races: Head over to Phyllis Baker City Park (2nd Street) after the parade. You’ll get to watch the little sausage-shaped dogs scramble along the course on their stubby legs—it’s adorable, sometimes hilarious, and always a good time. Want to enter your own pup? They have races for non-doxies as well!
- The Rockaway Lions Club Beach Races: Kids (& adults!) are invited to race for 1st place in a series of foot races and partner races along the beach. The Lions Club also sets up a treasure hunt where kids can dig for real treasure in the sand.
- A flyover by the National Guard: The planes typically fly overhead right before the parade start time.
The tides of tradition
The Oregon Coast is often revered for its quiet, spacious beaches where you don’t have to worry about “No Trespassing” signs or crowds. But holidays are a time when that changes—in a good way! Folks come out from all over to celebrate the 4th at the shore, and there’s nothing more fun than the feeling you’re at a big, summer party all day (or all week, if you’re making a full vacation out of it!). Enjoy the atmosphere, meet new friends, and eat some tasty food as you take in the perfection of ocean waves and miles of sandy shore.
You can also break away for a few hours during the day before the big firework show at sundown. Take a ride on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad or head into town to check out spots like Troxel’s Gem and Jewelry shop where you can play a round of mini-golf, or the new Anchor Street Playground, located a block off Main and South 2nd. Stop by The Original Pronto Pup for a corndog, or look to catch your own crab dinner at nearby Kelly’s Brighton Marina.
The grand finale to a day well spent
Coastal Living magazine listed Rockaway Beach’s fireworks display as one of the best in the country. At dusk, head over to the Rockaway Beach Wayside or find a cozy spot on the white sand beach to gather the kids, friends, and family around your beach bonfire and look to the sky for an incredible fireworks extravaganza to remember.
