South Oregon Coast This Weekend: Port Orford's Lighthouse Day with Picnic, History and Music

Published 07/30/2026 at 8:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Port Orford, Oregon) – This weekend brings some nostalgia, honor and grooviness to the south Oregon coast's Port Orford area. There, the Cape Blanco Heritage Society will host its 22nd Annual Picnic on Sunday, Aug. 2, at Port Orford Heads State Park, marking both U.S. Coast Guard Day and Lighthouse Day. The free community event begins at 1 p.m. at the Port Orford Heads Lifeboat Station Museum. (Above: historical shot of the area)

Attendees are invited to bring chairs, blankets and picnic lunches for an afternoon of music and history at the oceanfront park. This year’s program features two musicians with deep local roots performing alongside Lifeboat #36498: Nathan Malamud of Sixes, keyboardist for the Black Market Blues Band, and Port Orford’s Dune Fougerolles on vocals and guitar. Both performers are graduates of Pacific High School.

“We will also be observing Lighthouse Day and the United States Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence,” said organizers. “Learn more about our efforts to restore the Cape Blanco Lighthouse at the event and learn about our iconic Oregon lighthouse keeping legacy. This year we will have art and craft vendors at the event with a percentage of proceeds going to our 'Save Our Lighthouse' fundraising campaign. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic lunches and take advantage of the beautiful surroundings.”

Port Orford Heads State Park

Lighthouse Day marks the 1789 signing of the Lighthouse Act by President George Washington, establishing the United States Lighthouse Establishment. The Revenue Cutter Service followed in 1790, later playing roles in the Civil War, the development of Alaska and early environmental protection under the 1822 Timber Act. In 1915, the Cutter Service merged with the Lifesaving Service to form the modern U.S. Coast Guard. The Cape Blanco Heritage Society observes the organization’s founding on the first Sunday in August.

Local Coast Guard Cutter from the area's past

Visitors are encouraged to tour the Port Orford Heads museum before or during the concert and explore the park’s hiking trails and ocean viewpoints. The park is located west of Highway 101; turn onto 9th Street near Milepost 301 and follow the road uphill to its end.

More information is available at capeblancoheritagesociety.com or by calling 541-332-0521.

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