The Depoe Bay Classic Wooden Boat Show, Crab Feed, and Ducky Derby is held the third weekend in April. Several dozen wooden craft, both restored and newly constructed vessels, including kayaks, skiffs, dinghies, and larger fishing boats, are displayed in the harbor and the adjacent Depoe Bay City Park. Rowing races, boat-building workshops, crab races, and other activities are scheduled.
The big Crab Feed, held 10 a.m.–5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, sees some 1,500 pounds of crab plus side dishes devoured at the Community Hall; it costs $15 for a full dinner.
The Ducky Derby is a raffle in which you purchase “tickets” in the form of rubber duckies that race down the harbor’s feeder stream vying for prizes.
For more information, contact the Depoe Bay Chamber of Commerce (70 NE U.S. 101, 541/765-2889 or 877/485-8348, www.depoebaychamber.org [1], 11 a.m.–3 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. weekends).
The Fleet of Flowers happens each Memorial Day in the harbor to honor those lost at sea and in military service. More than 20,000 people come to witness a blanket of blossoms cast upon the waters.
The Depoe Bay Salmon Bake takes place on the third Saturday of September (10 a.m.–5 p.m.) at Depoe Bay City Park, flanking the rear of the boat basin. Some 3,000 pounds of fresh ocean fish are caught, cooked Native American–style on alder stakes over an open fire, and served with all the trimmings, to be savored to the accompaniment of live entertainment.
The cost is $16 adults, $10 children. It always seems to rain on the day of this event, but that’s life on the Oregon coast.
Links:
[1] http://www.depoebaychamber.org