Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

COVID Shuts Down Oregon Coast's Largest Seafood and Wine Fest Again

Published 01/18/22 at 4:53 PM PST
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

COVID Shuts Down Oregon Coast's Biggest Seafood and Wind Fest Again

Latest Coastal Lodging News Alerts
In Seaside:
Includes exclusive listings; some specials in winter
In Cannon Beach:
Includes rentals not listed anywhere else
In Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Pacific City, Oceanside:
Some specials for winter
In Lincoln City:
Some specials for winter
In Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Newport:
Look for some specials
In Waldport
Some specials for winter
In Yachats, Florence
Some specials for winter
Southern Oregon Coast Hotels / Lodgings
Reedsport to Brookings, places to stay; winter deals

(Newport, Oregon) – Every last weekend of February, the central Oregon coast town of Newport would swell in size, practically doubling in population, as some 17,000 or more visitors descended upon the town for the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival. Each year until 2021, that is.

Now, for the second year in a row, the pandemic has put a dent in one of the major festivals along the entire Oregon coast. Newport's visitor center and Chamber of Commerce just announced Monday it would cancel the event.

“After much communication with city, county, and state officials, it is with heavy hearts that the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce decided to announce the cancellation of the 2022 Newport Seafood & Wine Festival,” the agency said on social media yesterday. “While we were eager to welcome folks back to a much anticipated in-person festival, coupled with putting all the necessary precautions in place to ensure the health and safety of all the attendees, vendors, volunteers, and staff, it doesn't outweigh the level of safety and protection from COVID that is foremost for participants and the community.”

The chamber said even a scaled-back version of the event would not work, as they recently saw a significant drop in vendors and volunteers due to COVID concerns. Too many had dropped out for even a smaller incarnation of the Oregon coast favorite. 2021's event was a partial, "to-go" affair.

“We do hope to hold the festival in future years,” the chamber said. “Meanwhile, we will explore ideas for another community event and put our efforts into something that can be executed in a safe manner.”

With most medical experts agreeing that the Omicron variant has not quite hit its peak yet in Oregon, that would leave the end of February as still a worrying time for many.

Meanwhile, the chamber is expressing empathy for those who are greatly disappointed by the festival's cancellation. It promised more developments in the future regarding next year's event and other relevant announcements at www.seafoodwine.com and the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival's Facebook page.

Tickets will be refunded for this one, the chamber said.

“We will work with each ticket purchaser to ensure successful refunds are made,” the chamber said. “If you prefer, you can apply your refund as a donation to the forward movement of the Seafood & Wine event. It is much appreciated. Please contact Afton Tickets to request your refund. www.aftontickets.com.”

The festival started back in 1977 and quickly grew in size and importance, even spawning a spinoff brewfest in the fall for a time in the ‘90s. Call the Newport Chamber at (541) 265-8801.

Hotels in Newport - Where to eat - Newport Maps and Virtual Tours

 


MORE PHOTOS BELOW












More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....


Coastal Spotlight


LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

UPDATES: Thursday's Aurora Borealis Over Washington, Oregon, Coast Latest - C...
Severe G4 Storm Watch for Thurs, Maybe Fri; also comet in west. Astronomy
20 Years of Oregon Coast Preservation: Cannon Beach's Friends of Haystack Roc...
November 1 - 3 it's a part of Stormy Weather Arts Festival. Cannon Beach events
Feds Seek Suspects in S. Oregon Coast Cliff Vandalism: Graffiti, Digging Laws...
Why it's illegal to dig or even carve on coastal cliffs. Sciences, Gold Beach
Glorious Ocean Views to October's Second Summer on Oregon Coast
Two vacation homes in Lincoln City with expansive vistas. Lincoln City hotel reviews
Lincoln City's Hiking Trails Passport Now Available: Hike and Maybe Win Orego...
Scan QR codes, access maps, and enhance your trail experience. Lincoln City events, Pacific City events
Changes, Milestones on Oregon Coast Trail - Gaps Getting Addressed
Changes hands, boat shuttles, other future plans. Weather
How to Watch Astoria's Great Columbia Crossing Oct. 13: N. Oregon Coast Tips,...
Great Columbia Crossing 10K has 3,500 participants. Astoria events
Seaside Aquarium: Debris Field of Nature Stuff on N. Oregon Coast is 3 Blocks...
As high as a foot. Called an ocean burp, how it works. Marine sciences

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted