June Dairy Parade Photos Pages 2-3
Headlight Herald
TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2022
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
VOL. 134, NO. 26• $1.50
Happy 4th of July Parades, fireworks, wiener dogs highlight Tillamook County July 4th weekend events T
Staff
illamook County is a destination in the summer, mostly for the outdoor activities, but over Independence Day weekend, the area is vastly becoming known for July 4th headquarters for fun on the coast. With parades, three sponsored fireworks shows, vendors in the small towns that dot the landscape of Tillamook’s coast, and even a wiener dog race, the area has something for everyone to help celebrate our nation’s birthday. Area happenings Rockaway Beach The parade starts at 11 a.m. There’s nothing little about the Rockaway Beach Independence Day Parade. You’ll have to get there early if you want to get a good spot to watch the dazzling floats go by. Afterwards, head over to Phyllis Baker Park for the always-hilarious Annual Firecracker Wiener Nationals. This is the 15th Annual wiener dog races where a national champion Dachshund will be crowned. At 1:45 p.m. the Lions Club hosts its Treasure Hunt/Race at the beach behind St. Mary’s Catholic Church. All day at the Wayside you can check in at the information booth, visit at the Fire Department/CERT booth, purchase fireworks at the chamber’s booth, check out vendor
booths, or enjoy a hotdog at the Lion’s booth. Walk around town to see patriotic decorated homes and take in the annual Porch Parade. This annual contest has Rockaway Beach residents and businesses decorating their porches and front yards and storefronts to help celebrate the holiday and make the town look like a patriotic blast of red, white and blue. When dusk comes, head over to the Wayside behind the red caboose or find a comfy spot on the beach and get ready to watch the spectacular firework show that kicks off around 10 p.m. You don’t have to travel far to see what has been dubbed one of the most magnificent Independence Day celebrations on the northern Oregon Coast by USA Today and Coastal Living Magazine – you just have to get to Rockaway Beach and see for yourself. Each year the show is put on by the Rockaway Beach Volunteer Fire Department, and we think you’ll agree with the reviews that it truly is one of the best in the entire country. Oceanside Oceanside Centennial Celebration July 3, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4 @ 9:00 am - July 5 @ 5:00 pm Oceanside is a unique community that is beloved by local residents and our visitors. It offers stunning
Rockaway Beach Mayor Sue Wilson smiles during the 2019 July 4th Parade in this Headlight Herald file photo. Wilson was appointed Mayor that year and had guided the city since. views of the Pacific Ocean, with off-shore rocks, beautiful sand beaches, and lots of wildlife, as well as a strong community. Activities: Historical exhibit; Local flora and fauna exhibit; oral histories; live music; food booths; and a tribute to the Rosenberg fam-
This photo by area photographer Marilyn K. Elkins is fireworks over Rockaway Beach captured last year.
ily and birthday party on the 5th at 1:30. Sponsors: Tillamook Coast Visitors Association; Oceanside Protection Society; Oceanside Community Club, and members of the Oceanside Community, special instructions – Parking is limited, but a shuttle parking is available along the road to Cape Mears lighthouse. Follow the signs. Food vendorsThe Blue Agate, the Surf Shop, The Schooner, and Bayside Market. Cloverdale The Pacific City - Nestucca Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting Clovers Day Saturday July 2. It’s the 40th Annual event. Parade is at 11 a.m. down Hwy 101 led by Clover the Cow. Live music from the Perry Gerber Band will serenade the festivities which include: a vendor’s fair, a cruise-in, a petting zoo, face painting, ice cream, “and more”. Staging for the parade begins at 10 a.m. at Nestucca High School, 34660 Parkway Drive, Cloverdale. The parade begins at 11 a.m. It descends Parkway drive onto Highway 101 at the flashing yellow light northward at 11 a.m. then north to Brook Street to circle through town a second time, finishing at the high school.
Pacific City The Pacific City Fireworks show is an annual event in Pacific City to celebrate 4th of July. Are you looking for some excitement and lights in the sky? We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 4th of July, than to see the spectacular Pacific City Fireworks. The Pacific City Fireworks show is located at the Bob Straub State Park.. Neskowin Walking parade at 10 p.m. on July 4th is slated and the Neskowin Women’s Club is hosting a book sale each year. Fireworks at dusk are sponsored by the Home Owners. Cannon Beach July 4. Cannon Beach Independence Day Parade. No fireworks in town because of the puffins / bird refuges. The north Oregon coast hotspot has the parade starting at 11 a.m., starting at Spruce St. Kids, bikes, old cars, decorated entries, and walking groups are welcome to enter with a special invitation to all Veterans. Call 503-436-2623. Lincoln City July 4, Lincoln City. Fireworks at dusk over Siletz Bay, which can be seen all over town.
Calvin Christensen posthumously named June Dairy Parade Grand Marshal Chamber Staff In its first-ever posthumous dedication of the role, the 65th annual June Dairy Parade will honor Calvin Christensen as parade grand marshal. “Calvin spent his life dairying in Tillamook. He loved this community and the industry we celebrate every June,” said Justin Aufdermauer, executive director of the Tillamook Chamber, which organizes the June Dairy Parade. “Usually we get to honor a grand marshal who is still with us. This year, we get to honor a legacy.” The grand marshal position recognizes a local individual associated with the dairy industry. In selecting
a grand marshal, extra consideration for the is given for individuals who demonstrate community involvement, leadership and volunteerism. Aufdermauer said Christensen was selected for grand marshal because he was “synonymous with dairy and community.” Although he died unexpectedly in March, Christensen left a lasting mark on the Tillamook community. A lifelong Tillamook resident and local farmer, Christensen ran two dairies and a custom farming business, served on the Tillamook County Creamery Association board of directors and volunteered to help other dairymen whenever he could. His wife, Jody, said Christensen knew from an early age that he wanted to be a dairyman. He was raised on Shirhar Farms, his family’s business named after his parents, Shirley and Harvey. His excitement for farming was rivaled only by his father. “His dad absolutely loved farming, but Calvin surpassed his dad,” Jody said. “He just never wanted to
Calvin Christensen do anything else. He was so tickled to do what he loved to do every day.” Christensen started working the family farm right out of high school. He eventually took over ownership of it and raised his four sons on the farm, too.
As his sons became more focused on custom farming and equipment work, Christensen shifted the business to a custom farm that made and hauled farm products, including feed, hay bales and manure. He kept heifers but he missed his milk cows, Jody said. He returned to dairy farming full-time in 2014. Shannon Lourenzo, TCCA board member and Christensen’s close friend, joked that other Tillamook farmers thought Christensen was crazy for not only getting back into the industry in his early 60s, but also keeping the custom farming business running in full force. But dairy was what Christensen loved. “He was all excited to get to milking cows again,” Lourenzo said. “He was like a kid in the candy shop when he got back in the dairy business.” Around that same time, Christensen began what became a six-year run on the TCCA board of directors. Serving on the Creamery board was one of his favorite experiences, Jody said.
“He was really honored to be able to hash over ideas as the industry was changing and adding more technology. He’d always been hands-on on the farm, but he liked experiencing the marketing and distribution side of the industry, too,” Jody said. “Any time we traveled, he was always excited to go into stores and see if they carried Tillamook products.” Christensen shared his love and knowledge of dairying with anyone who asked. He watched for newcomers to the industry and was quick to offer guidance or a helping hand. “He was just the kindest man,” said his daughter-in-law, Ashley Christensen. “He would let anyone borrow farm equipment or anything like that. Anyone who was new to the Tillamook area that had a dairy of any sort, he’d always reach out and see whatever he could to help.” When Lourenzo first moved to
n See CALVIN, Page A2