Azalea Festival: July 17-19
Impact of COVID-19 continues A few new cases in Curry and Del Norte counties BY CLAUDIA ELLIOTT Editor
File photo
What’s a parade without the Shriners? Don’t worry, you can expect to see these funny guys and their cars during the 81st Azalea Parade on Saturday, July 18. Don’t forget to maintain social distancing along the sidewalk as you watch!
Pared down schedule and social distancing as Brookings prepares for rescheduled festival BY CLAUDIA ELLIOTT Editor
Earlier this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic erupted, many traditional events were canceled. But the City of Brookings took a chance and decided to reschedule the 81st Azalea Festival instead of canceling — and began watching infection reports and state regulations as community members considered how the event might take place safely. Now the event is just a week away and it appears that it will take place without a hitch — although it has a trimmed-down schedule and the success will depend upon the public’s willingness to accept social distancing restrictions and wear face masks when that’s not possible. The theme for this year’s festival is “Glory Days.” And although the 2020 event may not be the most glorious in Azalea Festival history, it will likely be remembered long into the future as part of the story of coping with COVID-19.
Events are set for Friday, July 17, through Sunday, July 19. A few events are by invitation only. Azalea Parade Saturday’s big event is the parade. Amber Nalls of the city of Brookings said entries were still being received at press time for this edition. Parade entries are to be lined up before 9 a.m. on parade day. Staging begins at 7:30 a.m. in the parking area at Trinity Lutheran Church on Easy Street. The parade will head down Easy Street to Chetco Avenue (Highway 101), then proceed south to Oak Street, where the parade will end. All entries must display at least one live azalea plant, prominently displayed. Throwing candy from floats is prohibited. Float judging will be done as the floats pass the review stand that will be in front of Tangles Hair Salon. Float judging will be based on the execution of the theme, originality of design, use of color, special effect, and spectator appeal. Among early parade entries, in addition to Grand Marshal
Pat Piper, were the following: Color Guard Sam Vitale, Brookings-Harbor High School Marching Band, U.S. Coast Guard Station Chetco River, Curry County Republicans, Coos-Curry Electric, McLennan Excavation, Tidewater Contractors, Oregon Right to Life Curry County, Eva Klaas, Cal-Ore Life Flight, Remax Coast & Country, South Coast Antique Tractor, Chetco Shrine Club, Rev- Limiter Racing, Jordan Power Plus, Curry County Board of Realtors, Brookings Harbor Lions Club, Harbor Fire, Brookings Fire, Safety City, Curry Health Network and Girl Scouts. During the parade three flyovers are planned — the U.S. Coast Guard Coos Bay helicopter at 10 a.m., the Cal–ORE helicopter at 10:25 and Dan Brattain’ Navy War Bird at 10:30. Vendor Street Fair Nolls said the city focused on inviting local vendors and that there will be an empty space between all booths along Frontage Road to facilitate social distancing. Booths will be open from 9
a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Food vendors include: Bandon’s Best Kettle Korn with popcorn treats and drinks; Coos Bay Concessions with hot dogs and more; Black Dog Bistro with hot dogs, street tacos and more. Vendors selling crafts and other items include Oregon Flag and Pole , BB Organics, 2 Bags N More, Ralph E. Sharp, Paula Dansdill with COVID-19 compliant face painting, Belt Toys Leather, Seaside Silver Jewelry, Take Shape Images, Natives World, Reneau’s Rock, Creative Concepts, Wild River Animal Rescue, Blanket Wagon, Bonnies’s Bubbles, Adam’s Olives, After the Gold Rush, Stephanie “Susie” Hursh, Kim’s Kreations, Wild About Purses, Andean Essence, Raptor Arts, Thrifty Sneakers, Matthew Fisher, Pappiano Delights and Viola Tabor. Nonprofits vendors include The World Peace Organization with information, Harbor Fire with cotton candy, t-shirts and water, Vietnam Veterans of Please see Festival, Page A2
Residents of Curry and nearby Del Norte County, California, continue to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as public health officials track and report testing results and some businesses struggle with operations. Compared to more populated areas of Oregon and California, the incidence of the virus in the region has been relatively low, but with summer in full swing and hotels and some campgrounds reopened, there are more tourists along the coast. They bring needed income to businesses, but also more risk. Face masks are officially required to be worn by just about everyone in indoor public spaces, but many are non-compliant and enforcement of orders from the two state governors appears to be nil. School officials, meanwhile, struggle to figure out how classes can resume in just a few weeks. And at Pelican Bay State Prison, one of the largest employers in the region with employees and their families living in both counties, officials continue efforts to reduce population as the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation attempts to cope with a major outbreak of the virus at San Quentin State Prison. More than 600 new cases at San Quentin in the last two weeks brought the total inmate cases of the virus to 1,313 as of data available Thursday morning (the deadline for this edition). There have been reports, not officially confirmed as of press time, that some Pelican Bay staff have been assigned to work at San Quentin. The outbreak there is the worst of any California prison and triage tents have been erected in an effort to keep those who are contagious away from others. Fortunately, as of this writing, only two Pelican Bay staff have tested positive and are reported to have recovered and there have been no inmate cases reported at the prison. CDCR has begun doing mandatory testing of staff at
Please see COVID-19, Page A2
Let’s go fishing!
Photo by Gary Milliman
Morning on the Fourth of July brought many sport fishermen with their boats to the Port of Brookings Harbor. The primary parking area was filled with pick-up trucks and attached boat trailers by 6:30 a.m. Highway 101 Chetco River Bridge is in the background.