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Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.
1/15/07
Secrets of the Season |
Oregon Coast Town Turns Murder Into a Festival of Fun
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| The Chief Inspector was played by Terry Obteshka |
(Newport, Oregon) – In the second weekend of March, someone in the coastal village of Nye Beach will be murdered. And locals will make a weekend out of it.
It’s called the Nye Beach Murder Mystery Weekend, and it’s growing by leaps and bounds in this historic neighborhood of the Oregon coast resort town of Newport. It happens March 10 and 11, bringing a unique combination of time travel, prizes, role-playing and sleuthing to this seaside charmer. With the waves murmuring in the distance, a dozen or so murder suspects will be milling about these streets and shops as a few hundred members of the public try and discover who-done-it.
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| Nye Beach |
This year’s Nye Beach Murder Mystery Weekend is set in the Nye Beach section of Newport in the post-war era of the late 1940’s. Suspects and actors will be dressed in period garb, and the public is also encouraged to do so. The entire neighborhood fills with would-be investigators, challenging the actor/role-players, who play their parts with imposing seriousness or hilarious high camp.
A1 Beach Rentals, Lincoln City. Perfect for large family vacations all the way down to a getaway lodging for two - with over 25 vacation rental homes to choose from. A breathtaking collection of craftsman or traditional beachfront homes, or oceanview houses – from one to seven bedrooms. In various areas of Lincoln City and overlooking the beach, with some in Depoe Bay. All kinds of amenities are available, like hot tubs, decks, BBQ, rock fireplaces, beamed ceilings and more. Some are new, some are historic charmers. Lincoln City, Oregon. 1-(503)-232-5984. www.a1beachrentals.com. |
Things kick off at
11 a.m. on Saturday, where participating sleuths pay $5 for their entry
packet with mystery information, suspect information, clue locations and
entry form.
The opening activity is from 11 a.m. until Noon at the Performing Arts
Center (777 SW Olive Street) at the corner of Coast Street and Olive Street
in Nye Beach.
Sleuths are then introduced to the mystery suspects, who give valuable information along with their character background and current involvement with the victim. Participants obtain clues from participating neighborhood merchants and interview the mystery suspects, who are available at mystery clue locations (various shops and restaurants) between Noon and 5 p.m.
Entry forms must be turned in at Nye Cottage (208 NW Coast Street, Unit 1), by 6 p.m. on March 10. The actors will be present at the mystery Denouement or “reveal,” which takes place on Sunday, March 11, at 1 p.m., at the Performing Arts Center. Prizes are awarded to winning entries.
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| In the end, it was Abbie Kriar (played by Paulette Hansen) who killed Thomas Lycopene in last year's Murder Mystery. She blamed him for ruining her sister's life, when he interfered with her planned marriage. |
If present, winners will need to show identification to receive their prizes. Those not present will have prizes mailed, if appropriate information is available on their entry form. Prizes consist of some cash awards as well as gift certificates from local businesses.
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There will also be an activity for kids, who will pick up their “clues” at Mystery Clue business locations. This packet may be purchased at the Performing Arts Center between 11 a.m. and Noon on Saturday, March 10, for $2, with prizes awarded to those who complete the activity.
Event spokesman Linda Neigebauer said the players play their personas well, getting deep into the parts. Some are dead serious in their acting gig; others play it up with goofiness. But the participant sleuths are quite steadfast and determined to win, said Neigebauer. “They want the prizes,” she said. “They’re pretty serious, in spite of the fun atmosphere of this event.”
This festival of murderous fun has grown considerably in its three years. 2005’s event had about 50 participants, with the festival selling 16 detective packets among them. The 2006 festival quadrupled in number, with approximately 200 people from around the state swarming in on Nye Beach and scarfing up around 100 packets.
 |
| Humphrey Holmes (Jeffrey Orn) was a private Investigator, whose client was Abbie Kriar. Abbie wanted Humphrey to find her sister, who was at one time engaged to the victim's man Friday. |
“This year we’re counting on even more,” Neigebauer said.
DIVE
INTO LUXURY, HISTORY AT THE TIDES THE TIDES BY THE SEA, Seaside. For over 80 years a favorite of Seaside visitors. 51 oceanfront condos, individually owned and decorated. Suites for couples, small apartments with fireplaces and kitchenettes, one or two bed family units with fireplaces, kitchens and dining rooms. Oceanview cottages sleep anywhere from two to eight, w/ two bedrooms, some with lofts, fireplaces and kitchens. Heated outdoor pool, enormous grounds w/ picnic tables - all at quiet southern end of Seaside. 2316 Beach Drive. 800-548-2846. www.thetidesbythesea.com. |
Last year’s event also featured numerous participants partying it up in town for the entire weekend. Blu Cork Wine Bar experienced many of the same faces throughout the two days, who recounted their day’s sleuthing activities to staff and reveled in the fun this unusual festival provided.
Perhaps even more amusing about this event is what the actors don’t know. “None of them know if they’re the murderer or not,” Neigebauer said. “We had to keep them apart after two years ago, when a lot of them got together, compared notes and figured out who actually did it.”
There is no advanced registration. Just come join the fun on Saturday, March 10, 2007. For more information, call toll free, 866-592-5556.
Nye
Beach Murder Mystery Weekend
Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11
Opening “briefing” at 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Newport
Performing Arts Center
Participants pay $5 for sleuthing packet
Denouement at 1 p.m., Newport Performing Arts Center
Prizes awarded
866-592-5556
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms at the Tradewinds Motel are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones with data ports. The oceanfronts all have a queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and a private deck. Some oceanfront units come with all those amenities but the kitchens. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed with a queen bed, small fridge, and coffee maker – sizable for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. There is an elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite that has two bedrooms, coming with a kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For those wanting bigger accommodations for family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms are pet friendly.523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Getting a free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the beginning. Every room is beachfront, and it's all right up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach, next to the D River. Each room, comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some have gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players with movies available for renting (and movie rentals come with free popcorn). There's a heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep anywhere from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates are available, and they offer special occasion packages as well. To make a reservation and see a virtual tour of the rooms, visit our website at www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
Lincoln City Vacation Homes There’s something for everyone among this selection of wondrous homes: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All the homes are either oceanfront or just a few steps away from the sand – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies, depending on the home: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets are allowed in some homes – ask ahead. Each comes with complete kitchens so you’ll have a home away from home. Most have the seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778. |
Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. It's Lincoln City’s only resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach. Enjoy dining in the penthouse restaurant and bar - whether you’re in the mood for a casual meal or a candlelight dinner. They offer an array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including a decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to one-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Hotel amenities include wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and a year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference and meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive, gorgeous wedding possibilities. Near the south end of Lincoln City at 4009 SW Highway 101. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com |
DIVE
INTO LUXURY, HISTORY AT THE TIDES THE
TIDES BY THE SEA, Seaside. For over 80 years, The Tides has
been a favorite of Seaside visitors. History meets modern luxury
here. 51 oceanfront condos, individually owned and decorated. Find
suites for couples, small apartments with fireplaces and kitchenettes,
one or two bedroom family units with fireplaces, kitchens and dining
rooms. There are wonderful oceanview cottages that sleep anywhere
from two to eight people, with two bedrooms, some with lofts, fireplaces
and kitchens. |
Weiss' Paradise Suites & Vacation Rentals - Seaside
Unique Luxury Accommodations in Seaside. 1BR Suites,
1BR & 2BR Duplex Units and 3BR Houses, units for 2-8 people.
Rent our entire property for 20-26. All units close to beach, river
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