MIDWEEK EDITION
Del Norte County Fair Struts Its Stuff P B1 see
age
Wednesday August 7, 2019
www.currypilot.com
Brookings, Oregon
SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946
Tourism is hot again this year
Festival Founders
Just ask motorists on U.S. 101
T
Linda Pinkham Staff Writer
raffic is crazy, along U.S. Highway 101 from Crescent City north up through Brookings-Harbor The stunning beauty of the southern Oregon coast and Gold Beach. attracts people from all over the world. Here, visitors Motels, campsites and vacation rentals are booked; res- enjoy the surf, sand and interpretive displays at Harris taurants are hopping; beaches Beach State Park. Photo by Jeremy C. Ruark. and waterways are crowded. paddling guide at South Coast Tours, which is Does that mean this season’s visitor numbers based in Gold Beach. are up over previous years? “South Coast Tours has been a little down for Probably so, at least a bit. That’s what an international travelers the last couple of years, informal survey by the Del Norte Triplicate and but (we’re) up overall by a significant amount. the Curry Coastal Pilot shows. We were up by 73% from 2018,” he said. Cindy Vosburg, recently named director of Meantime, Brookings-Harbor Chamber of the Crescent City/Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce president Greg Williams couldn’t Commerce, reports a robust season there. “This capture exact numbers because, he said, the has been a healthy season for our area businesschamber is restructuring somewhat and “the es,” said Vosburg. “We are as busy as ever. necessary vehicles to capture information” aren’t “The Redwood National and State Campcurrently available. grounds have been sold out for months, with all However, he added, “Tourism is up, as the available campsites booked.” weather this year has been amazing, events have Redwood National and State Parks said their been well planned and executed, and there’s been numbers have been equal to or slightly higher very little to deal with from wildfires. than last year, said Vosburg, with visitor center “Downtown traffic and out-of-state plates sales trending about 5 percent above previous certainly attest to that.” year. Gold Beach City Administrator Jodi Fritz said “The season isn’t over yet, we just don’t know, but my instincts are that tourism is up yet again,” More Tourism on Page A3 That’s the opinion of Dave Lacey, owner and
Police chief leans into second year on the job B
Jeremy C. Ruark Pilot Editor
rookings Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Kelby McCrae is heading into his second year as Brookings’ top cop with excitement and a strong vision for community service. McCrae served 15 years with the police department, eight as a sergeant, before his appointment as chief Aug. 1, 2018. He oversees 15 officers, a detective, K-9 team and seven dispatchers, as well as the Brookings Fire Department. While his first year as chief has been fulfilling, McCrea said, it also has been challenging. “My greatest challenge has been constantly ensuring that the pieces of the puzzle are moving in the right direction and at the right pace,” he said. “We are a team, and none of what we need and want to do can be realized without work-
Festival founders Mike Moran and Bruce Ellis are in character as Captain Squishee and Captain Curry.
Pirates to besiege Brookings Harbor T
Brookings Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Kelby McCrae follows activity at the agency’s dispatch center with Community Supervisor Tracy LeJeune, left, and Communications Officer Sue Darger, right. ing as one. Fortunately, I have significant support and assistance from the command staff, officers and dispatchers.”
McCrae said that overseeing the Brookings Fire Department More Chief on Page A3
Linda Pinkham Staff Writer
he ninth-annual “Pirates of the Pacific Festival” is bringing mayhem and fun to the Brookings Harbor Boardwalk Aug. 9-11. The free event will include sword fighting, mermaids, cannon fire, belly dancers, kids’ activities, music, beer gardens, food, pirate gear and more. Plan to encounter a variety of infamous pirates, both male and female, dressed in their finest pirate garb. The “Pirates of the Pacific Festival” was created in 2010 by Bruce Ellis (aka Captain Curry) and Mike Moran (aka Captain Squishee). For some five years, Ellis had been
involved in a variety of roles with the “Virginia Renaissance Festival” on Lake Anna Winery in Spotsylvania, Virginia. He moved to Brookings in 2008, and in 2009 created the “Insider of Southern Oregon Entertainment Newspaper.” Moran has a long history in entertainment, working in theatre, radio, television and for Renaissance fairs. Shortly after launching his newspaper, Ellis was overlooking the water at the Port of Brookings with Moran and the two came up with the notion of the community’s first-ever pirate festival. Since its creation, the festival has grown larger in size, as has the number
More Pirates on Page A3
Del Norte Triplicate and Curry Coastal Pilot seeks a sports-minded person with writing and photography experience to work part time covering high school sports. 8000058jD0807
The position will focus heavily on game coverage in the afternoon and evening. Some weekend work is required. This is a deadline oriented position that demands quick turnaround of stories. This is a part-time position with competitive wages. Please send your resume and samples of your writing to:
steve@countrymedia.net
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