The Wild Rivers Coast Seafood, Art, and Wine Festival is a two-day event that celebrates wine, fine dining, and arts and crafts of the southern Oregon coast in mid-May at the Event Center on the Beach (29392 Ellensburg Ave., 541/247-4541).
People line the river for the annual jet-boat races, which take place in mid-June. Contact Jot’s Resort (800/367-5687) or the chamber of commerce for information.
The Pistol River Wave Bash National Windsurfing Competition brings four days of competitive riding to Pistol River State Park each June. For details, contact the Gold Beach Visitor Center (541/247-7526 or 800/525-2334).
In late July or early August, the Curry County Fair takes place at the Event Center on the Beach (29392 Ellensburg Ave.). Highlights include Oregon’s largest flower show and a lamb barbecue.
Since 1982, the Pistol River Concert Association (541/247-2848, www.pistolriver.com [1]) has produced a top-notch concert series, encompassing bluegrass, folk, jazz, classical, and blues at the Pistol River Friendship Hall. Concerts are held roughly once a month throughout the year, and it’s well worth fussing with your schedule in order to catch one. Past and present performers are a who’s who of acoustic music, including Greg Brown, Mike Seeger, Peggy Seeger, Kevin Burke, Norman and Nancy Blake, Peter Rowan, and Tony Rice, to name a few.
To get there from Gold Beach [2], take U.S. 101 for 10 miles south, to the second Pistol River exit (Pistol River/Carpenterville) and take the first right. The Pistol River Friendship Hall is 0.5 miles ahead on the right.
Links:
[1] http://www.pistolriver.com
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/gold-beach