Wowing Oregon Coast Tradition on Display: Exhibit Looks at Pacific City's Dory Boats

Published 07/19/25 at 6:35 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Pacific City, Oregon) - A traveling exhibition about a major Oregon coast tradition returns to Pacific City. (Photo Linfield University)

“Launching through the Surf: The Dory Fleet of Pacific City” is making its way back to the Kiawanda Community Center during the 2025 Dory Days celebration (happening now), offering a renewed glimpse into the rich maritime heritage that defines this coastal town. Developed in collaboration between Linfield University and the Pacific City Dorymen’s Association, the exhibit represents a portion of the longstanding oral history project that began in 2011 and continues to document the stories of the dory fishing community.

To date, the initiative has recorded more than 100 interviews, collected over 15,000 photographs, and archived more than 300 hours of audio and video, capturing the lives and lore of fishers, families, boatbuilders, and fish buyers. Their voices are central to the exhibit, which features 25 interpretive panels highlighting the evolution of dory boats, the craft of boatbuilding, historic derbies, and the century-spanning legacy of Dory Days itself.

New this year are three featured displays: a visual nod to the 2025 Dory Days theme “Christmas in July” by local photographer Tyrone Marshall, a selection of evocative vintage images, and a curated spotlight on the work of Sandra “Sandy” Weedman, also known as the “PC Photo Lady.”

The dories are known for their dramatic way of launching west into the often-breathtaking waves and return with thrilling slides onto the beach. They are a legend in this part of the north Oregon coast.

Visitors can experience the full exhibit on Sunday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kiawanda Community Center, located at 34600 Cape Kiwanda Drive. A mini-version of the exhibition featuring seven panels will be on display at the Oregon Coast Bank, 35490 Airport Way, throughout July during regular business hours.

Also making its debut during this year’s festivities is “Dory Fishers – Sand Kickin’ and Story Tellin’,” a live storytelling event inspired by the oral history project. The session will be held Sunday, July 20, from noon to 1:30 p.m., also at the Kiawanda Community Center. Featured storytellers include Steve Johnson, this year’s Dory Days Parade Grand Marshal, as well as Lee Peterson, David Sears, Randy Haltiner, Brent Foster, Brad Foster, Ray Monroe, and Pam Learned. Each will share personal accounts celebrating life on the sea and the enduring camaraderie of the dory fleet.

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