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Oregon Coast Seafood-Wine Fest Offers Special Group Tickets

(Newport, Oregon) – At the last weekend of every February, the central Oregon coast resort town of Newport swells with well over 17,000 visitors, who come to the annual Newport Seafood & Wine Festival for a weekend of wine, wonders in the culinary world, seafood and arts & crafts.

This year, the dates are February 22, 23, and 24, 2008 - adjacent to the Rogue Ales Warehouse, 2320 OSU Drive, just south of downtown Newport.

Entry fees at the door range from $5 - $13, depending on the day. Advance group tickets have now gone on sale, allowing larger groups a special entrance. Groups of 15 or more can call the Chamber office (800-262-7844). Advance e-tickets will go on sale in late December, allowing pre-purchase online. There will be an “e-ticket” line at the entrance of the festival. More information about e-tickets will follow soon.

More than 140 exhibitors - more than ever - are on hand at this festive and energetic event, which includes wineries, dishes prepared by some of the finest chefs in the western U.S., and arts & crafts booths. Wines from Washington, Oregon and California are spotlighted.

Newport's Yaquina Bay

The culinary fireworks include an exotic selection of seafood, such as the Oregon coast’s renowned salmon, oysters and Dungeness crab. Other items will also include Hawaiian teriyaki chicken, yakisoba, egg rolls, fresh baked pies, barbecue beef or shrimp, meatball sandwiches, dragon ears, funnel cakes, lobster gumbo, mini-doughnuts, keilbasa dogs, tacos, tamales, seafood croissant melts, Spanish omelets, grilled asparagus with butterfly shrimp and jambalaya, to name a few.

Wondrous sights around town, at Yaquina Head

Over 70 wineries from around the northwest have signed on so far, including the Noble Estate Vineyard, Chateau Benoit, Sake One, Silvan Ridge, Hinman Vineyards Winery, Hauer of the Dauen Winery, Orchard Heights, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Spangler Vineyards, Pheasant Valley Winery and Nehalem Bay Winery.

A large variety of craft items will be sold, from articles of clothing, jewelry, art glass, metal sculptures, works of art and hand-painted ceramics to handcrafted wine accessories.

Nye Beach

The festival takes place along the stunning tranquility of Yaquina Bay, with its bustling bayfront across the way from the facility hosting the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival. Also for the enjoyment of the visitor are two lighthouses, miles of pristine beaches, the charming, historic Nye Beach area, numerous other legendary dining and wine establishments and some innovative and beautiful lodging possibilities, along with the world-class Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Being the early bird is the key more than ever these days for lodging, as rooms fill up to 100 percent in the area, including in outlying towns like Depoe Bay, Lincoln City and Yachats.

“Lodging occupancy usually is 100 percent for the weekend, and bookings several months out or even a year out are common,” said Lorna Davis, Director of Tourism Development for the Newport Chamber. “Those who wait until the last minute to book may be out of luck – unless there’s a last-minute cancellation.”

Economic impact of the festival in the area is huge as well, said Davis. “There are around 17,000 that go through the gate each year, though the population of Newport can and does swell beyond that,” said Davis. “Lodging, dining, retail, grocery and other businesses all look forward to the surge of business this event provides in the dead of winter. It is estimated anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 million dollars come into the community during this time, which is significant given the time of year that the event is held.”

You must be 21 years or older to attend this event. You must also show valid picture ID or you will not be able to enter the event. The site is handicapped accessible and smoke free, with a special outdoor smoking area. Parking at the facility is $5. Shuttle buses will run for free from Newport, and a shuttle schedule and map will be available on the chamber’s website as well as the chamber center.

For Friday, group tickets are available for $15 each. Saturday, they are $25 per person. Sunday $10 per person. All group tickets are limited availability, first come first served, prepaid.

Festival hours & costs:

$9 on Friday: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

$13 on Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

$5 on Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

www.newportchamber.org. 800-262-7844.

Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com.

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