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| Location | Florence | ||
| Dates | May 21, 2010 - May 23, 2010 | ||
| Description: | The Rhododendron Festival May 21 - 23 2010 3rd week of May3rd weekend in May Indent The Rhody Fest is 100 years old. The Rhododendron Festival The Rhododendron Festival Celebrates 101 Years in May 2008May 21 - 23 2010 3rd week of May3rd weekend in May Indent Rhody Days The 49th Annual Rhododendron Days The Rhododendron Festival Arts & Crafts Show History of the Rhododendron Festival IndentIntroduction IndentThere have been some changes to Florence since the first Rhododendron Festival of 1908. The population has grown from fewer than 500 to almost 7,000. The streets are paved, a bridge spans the river, and telephones and cars are commonplace. The town has a new library, convention center and justice center. Old Town has been renovated, and the lakes and beaches bring many tourists every summer. Logging, farming and fishing are no longer the major industries; in fact, they have all but disappeared. The Florence Rhododendron Festival has grown to over 100 entries and has become an annual event that attracts over a 15,000 visitors. Yet some things remain the same. Each spring the wild rhododendrons bloom in the hills and fields of Florence as they have been doing for 1,000 or more years, and the white-pink flowers still represent the end of winter and the imminent arrival of summer. Each year there is a parade and a Rhododendron Queen, and each year beautiful wild flowers of Florence echo the theme of the first Florence Rhododendron Festival, âWatch Florence Grow." IndentRhododendron is the common name for the flowering plants of a genus in the heath family which contains over 850 species. They are native to the Himalayas, southeastern Asia, the mountains of Malaysia and the coast of the Northern Hemisphere. In Florence, Oregon, the beautiful white-pink plant begins to bloom in May, and by June the surrounding area is lush with its warm, radiant colors. IndentTo the early pioneers, and present residents, the flower was a sign that summer was not far off and that the wind and rain of winter would give way to a warmer, kinder weather. It was only natural that the city planners used the rhododendron as the theme for the first town celebration, for the rhododendrons were seen as proof that God was fulfilling his eternal promise of renewal and rebirth, of hope and everlasting life. This, then, is a brief history of how a small town on the coast of Oregon celebrated the coming of spring, the growth of the town and the hope of its people. IndentThe Early Years IndentThe Florence Rhododendron Festival is the second-oldest flower festival in Oregon. It is just one year younger than the Portland Rose Festival and the third-oldest on the West Coast counting the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, California. Indent1908 IndentEarly businessman George Miller originated the idea of holding a festival. He was among the first to recognize that the central coast would benefit immensely by improving the land routes into the area. As a means of advancing that goal, he recognized the publicity value of promoting the Florence area to the outside world. Mr. Miller convinced the other local leaders of the merits of the idea. In early spring the first festival was in the making. IndentThe event was given impetus when an out-of-town paper wrote that Florence was to hold the festival on May 16, weeks before the town fathers had definitely decided to have one. On April 17, 1908, The West, a local newspaper, stated that the Siuslaw Improvement Club had met the previous Monday after the announcement and decided that it would hold the âcarnival,â as it was called at the time, on May 20. IndentThe Committee on Entertainment âwas arranging for an interesting program.â It included the election of Queen Rhododendra a week before the event. A day featuring a clam bake at the beach was planned followed by a âcallithumpianâ parade, and ending with a grand ball. Tickets were placed on sale at all the stores with temporary voting boxes at Fred Knowlesâ in Florence, Siuslaw Lumber at Acme (now Cushman) and at J. Morrisâ place in Mapleton. IndentThe theme of the first festival, as it was called years later, was âWatch Florence Grow.â Approximately 1,000 came to see Laura Johnson, the first Queen Rhododendra, as she and her maids of honor sailed down the Siuslaw River to the city dock to be crowned by the Lord Mayor of Florence, who gave Laura a key to the city carved from Rhodowood. Joaquin Miller, âThe Poet of the Sierras,â recited poetry. Joaquin Millerâs real name was Cincinnatus Miller, but folks called him âJoaquinâ because of the newspaper articles he had written about the famous outlaw Joaquin Murrieta of Southern California. (Years later, one of the young ladies would describe Joaquin Miller as a ârascal and fanny pincher.â) IndentJohn J. Hartog, one of the speakers, had a hard time getting over to Florence. He was riding the Mapleton stage the Monday before the festival when it turned over six miles from Mapleton, throwing all the passengers out. Earlier, the driver had been delayed by a breakdown, and it was dark when the accident happened. Mr. Hartog made his way back to Swisshome after the accident and arrived at Florence in time to give his speech. IndentA dinner was prepared for the queen and her court at the Western House, and a picnic was held in the Rhododendron Grove. Later, the clam bake, the parade and grand ball all came off as planned. IndentThe event was acclaimed by most to be a success. The only slight complaint about the event came from the editor of The West, who said that, since his staff had taken a holiday to see the parade, the paper was two hours late that Friday. IndentThe cost to the city for the first Rhododendron Carnival was $133.25. Indent Florence in 1908 consisted of a hotel, a salmon cannery, two general stores, with a sawmill in Cushman. The sidewalks were made of wood, and some planking was laid from one side of the street to the other. Logging, fishing and farming were the main industries of the 1,550 inhabitants of the area. Indians still lived in the area and traded freely with the farmers and city people. That year the Siuslaw National Forest was established by an act of Congress signed by Theodore Roosevelt. The first phone lines came to Glenada. IndentLaura Johnson, the first queen, married Melvin Miller in 1916, had five children and died in 1984 in Tigard, Oregon. She was 93. Indent1909 IndentThe queen was elected the second year of the event by basket sales of homemade cookies to âtickle the palate.â Each basket sold meant a vote for the girl who sold it. Flossie Champion outsold the class and was elected Queen Rhododendra II. She was carried on a platform decorated with flowers, banners and streamers and given a key to the city and a second key to the hearts of all the citizens of Florence by the Lord Mayor of Florence, T.A. Yost. Again, both keys were made of Rhodowood. 1909 was the year that George Miller gave four tracts of land to the city to be dedicated as various parks. (The gift received some notoriety in 1980 when it was discovered that a contractor had developed on a piece of land that George had donated to the city. An agreement had to be reached with his only surviving heir for some trade-off to meet the provisions of the original grant.) L. E. Bean gave an address on the Siuslaw River bar improvements. That year the Port District was established when the Secretary of State for the State of Oregon authorized the incorporation of ports in counties bordering on, or containing bays or rivers navigable from, the sea. In June the new port commission resolved to issue $100,000 in bonds to begin construction on a jetty. Indent1910 IndentQueen Rhododendra was Edith Yates. She was the first queen to be born in the Siuslaw Valley. That year the princesses represented various well-known women of the time: Jennie Lind, Mother Pioneer, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Queen Justice. The event was beginning to attract attention. Twelve hundred to 1,500 celebrants joined in the festivities. Many had driven by automobile from Eugene via the hazardous and tedious route through Newport, the only way open to Florence before Highway 126 was completed. It was the year of the big fire that wiped out an entire city block on the south side of Bay Street. Ten buildings were destroyed. Indent1911 IndentThe princesses represented characters in mythology. John L. Furnish was Neptune, and Ella Wakefield became Queen Rhododendra IV. For the first time the event was postponed because of rain. Indent1912 IndentThe Rita, a moving picture theater, was built and opened four nights a week. Power was furnished by a gas engine dynamo. Post office boxes now became available, and electric streetlights went up in Old Town. (The festival of 1912 was described in detail in the âEarly Recollectionâ section of this account.) Indent1913 IndentAn Indian theme was called for, and appropriate costumes were worn by the princesses. The queen was elected by winning an archery contest. Each of the 11 princesses was given three arrows to hit a target, and the one with the highest score would become queen. Juanita Stirred must have been the best shot because she became Queen Rhododendra. The town marshal was directed to appoint two deputies to help him with law enforcement. IndentThat year a city well was constructed close to where the Old Town fire hall is now. A gym was built next to what is now the Callison building, which was then the old school, where it still stands today. A pump was installed to provide fresh water to the people who had no other source. The Harbor Sound Investment Company laid water pipes from its building on Bay Street to OâKellyâs house on the hill. Also, in that year, George Miller proposed to establish an airline operation between Florence and Eugene with a flight every two hours carrying passengers and freight. IndentWhat might have caused Miller to propose the airline was an event that happened on Sept. 26, 1913, when a Curtis hydroplane landed on the Siuslaw River. At the time, war with Germany was a possibility and some of the residents thought that the Germans were up to some sort of âmischief.â The plane had departed from North Bend and arrived in Florence one hour and 26 minutes later. Today the trip can be made by car in less than one hour. One of the spectators told the newspaper, âBy golly, thereâs not many towns around that got to see a flying machine before they got to ride in an auto car.â Indent1914 IndentThe railroad was completed from Eugene to Cushman. The bridge across the Siuslaw was finished and the tracks continued to Coos Bay. Two thousand visitors came to Florence that year. A spectacular boat parade was held that year, and Queen Mary Cassidy rode on the barge âEmpress.â Frank âSkinâ Johnson took his position in the crowâs nest of the barge stating that he would protect the queen from any âRiver Pirates.â The steam vessel âLillian,â owned by the Kyle family, was the queenâs barge that year. An editorial in the local newspaper commented on the indifference being shown by many people toward the carnival. There was a play at the new Rita Theater. Indent1915 IndentThat year the railroad brought 10 coaches to the event. Some of the passengers stayed overnight, and many came the next day. A Fest Ball was given on Friday night with music furnished by an orchestra from Eugene. Saturday afternoon the crowd gathered at the river to watch the barge carry the Eugene band from Mapleton to Florence. The Eugene Radiators delighted everyone with an exhibition of their famous marching drills. After a dinner of salmon and clams, the excursion moved to the beach, where motorcycle races were held. Motorboat races were also held during the day. A water tower was built close to where the City Hall now stands. Land was purchased by the Coast Guard to build a station, where it still stands today. --------- IndentThe event was canceled in 1916, most likely because of World War I, and would not be celebrated again until 1934. --------- IndentThe Depression Era IndentIn 1934, during the time that the nation was locked in the depths of the Great Depression, conditions became ripe for bringing new life to the long-discontinued Rhododendron festivities. Florenceâs isolation, oddly enough, seems to have insulated it from much of the financial catastrophe that plagued the country as a whole. Because communications were difficult, the people of the Florence/West Lane County area did not participate in the heady fad of buying stocks in the soaring pre-1929 stock market, and therefore were not devastated when that market crashed. Because shipping goods into and out of the area had always been difficult, the local economy was largely self-contained. Residents mostly grew their own produce or traded for it locally. Barter was often used as a substitute for hard currency, and therefore a lack of cash had minimal economic impact. Locally produced food was abundant, so people could feed themselves with a minimum of effort or reliance on imported equipment. The area exported timber and food - the most basic of commodities. Even in hard Depression-era times, the market for these products continued to exist and continued to provide some cash income. All in all, considering how badly the industrial areas of the nation were affected by the Depression, life on the Oregon coast continued much as it had always been: agrarian, isolated and uncomplicated. Oddly enough, the isolation that protected Florence from the Great Depression was about to end as a result of that Depression. At long last, roads were coming to the Oregon coast. IndentIn an effort to stimulate the economy, massive public works projects were initiated around the country. At last, the long-awaited Roosevelt Highway (Highway 101) was nearing completion, and the much-anticipated bridge over the Siuslaw was soon to become a reality. Indent1934 IndentâRhododendron day, April 29, promises to be the biggest drawing card Florence has had since the old days when the Rhododendron Carnival was an annual event,â reported the newspaper of the day, The Siuslaw Oar. There was reason, once again, for celebration - and a grand party was in the making. Crowds were drawn in from as far away as Portland. The Oar reported that there had never been so many cars in town at one time before. The Siuslaw ferry, the only way to cross the river before the bridge was built, was kept busy from morning to night, bringing visitors from the south. The citizens of Depression-era Oregon were brimming with optimism and were ready to celebrate the coming of spring. Even though no queen was chosen in 1934, many of the other traditions were brought back. The holiday featured a parade, a carnival, floral displays, sporting events and food. A seafood dinner was prepared for all at 35 cents each. Arrangements were made to bring in celebrants from out of town who were unable to travel by auto. In those days the railroads from Eugene and Junction City terminated at Mapleton, and the remaining 14 miles to Florence had to be made by boat. Two large passenger boats and a scow, which together could carry 230 people, were put into service for the event. The fare for the round trip was 50 cents. Indent1935 IndentA much smaller festival was held on June 2. The total attendance was about 2,000, but since there was only a minimal program to attract them, they stayed for a relatively short time and drifted on. No queen was selected that year. The traditional seafood dinner was held from 11:30 to 2:00, and a local band entertained the âhuge crowd.â Indent1936 IndentGail Darling most surely was a very excited young lady on the morning of May 23. She was soon to be the centerpiece in a ceremony for which the people in the Florence area had been waiting for over 40 years. The bridge over the Siuslaw River was to be opened on this day, and Gail was to do the honors. The crowd was huge, probably the largest that had ever been drawn to Florence for any occasion. The invited dignitaries included Governor Charles H. Martin, former Governor A. W. Norblad, who gave the dedication address, and County Commissioner Cal M. Young. After the speeches, Gail stepped forward in her queenâs gown and performed the traditional breaking of the bottle on the ramparts of the bridge. The bottle contained ginger ale, of course, for even though Prohibition officially ended in 1932, anti-alcohol feelings still ran high through certain segments of the populace. Indent1937 IndentNo event was held in town, but the annual seafood dinner was held at a new government park south of town at Siltcoos Outlet. The clams for the big feed were gathered by the members of the local fire department. Indent1938 IndentA festival was held, drawing between 5,000 and 10,000 visitors, but no queen was named. Greyhound Bus Lines had recently begun service to Florence, and one of its new âSuper Coachesâ was christened the âCity of Florenceâ during the course of the festival. The dedication was done by Miss Emmy Lou Kyle, daughter of Mayor and Mrs. W.J. Kyle. The traditional seafood dinner was served to over 3,000 people. Indent1939 IndentMary McGuire had the distinction of being the only recorded queen to be selected as a result of winning a bathing suit contest. She was elected out of a field of eight contestants. The crowd of spectators was estimated at 3,500. Indent1940 IndentDonna Beck became the Rhododendron Queen as a result of amassing 272,750 votes, which may seem an amazing figure for a town with a population of only 448 souls. The fact is that she became queen as a result of being a great salesperson. In that year it was decided to raise money for the festival by having each of the court princesses sell special buttons at 25 cents each, with one vote for each cent of purchase. After doing the math, it seems that Donna must have been a popular girl, as she sold $2,727.50 worth of buttons, a figure that would be impressive in 1999, and must have been a staggering amount in 1940. The money that the button sale produced for the festival was put to very good use, providing a free dinner of clam chowder - 260 gallons of it - for all comers. Over 5,000 people joined in the celebration that year, enjoying the traditional sporting events. Boxing matches and baseball games had become a part of the festival tradition. A benefit show was held in the local theater, featuring home talent plus a motion picture. A carnival and evening dances rounded out the list of events. Indent1941 IndentIn comparison to the grand party that was held the previous year, the 1941 festival was greatly reduced in size and expense. No queen was chosen that year, and the crowd numbered about 1,200. The Florence Booster Club provided the funds to sponsor the entire event, including the free clam chowder. We still have the recipe that was used that day to produce 53 gallons of chowder. It called for: 50 lbs. of onions, 200 lbs. of potatoes, and 60 lbs. of bacon. It was reported that the recipe produced enough chowder to feed 1,000 people with 10 gallons remaining. --------- Indent1942 â 1946 IndentThere were no festivals due to World War II. --------- IndentPost WWII IndentWWII was over, and peacetime affairs replaced wartime concerns. Almost 150,000 Oregonians had served in the armed forces, and 4,694 had died. The âTiger in the Senate,â Wayne Morse, had already served two years. Travel to and from Eugene was still hampered by the Mapleton Mountain, but the Route F Committee was sure that a tunnel would be cut through the impasse, vastly improving that difficult trek. Route F (faster route which would eventually become Highway 126) gave hope of greater commerce for Florence and easier attendance at activities such as the Rhododendron Festival. Indent1947 IndentThe war-weary people of Florence were ready to put the hardships of worldwide conflict behind them. On June 1 they put on the chowder pot, threw in 33 gallons of clams and brewed 500 gallons of chowder. It was time to restore the Rhododendron Festival after a six-year hiatus. After the 1,500 people had been fed at the Florence Park on the site of the Old Mill Yard, they attended the dedication of the Florence Airport and watched an air show. Donna Gene Williams, Western Lane Countyâs candidate for queen to the Centennial Days Pageant, attended. Indent1948 IndentThe festival served 500 gallons from the Paul Bunyan chowder pot, and the stunt flyer Buzz Buswell put on a great air show. The Browning Brothers Carnival added to the fun. Since that time there has always been a carnival included with the festival. Indent1949 IndentNearly halfway through the century, many signs of progress were visible in Oregon. Portland elected Dorothy McCullough Lee its first woman mayor, the Portland Childrenâs Museum was founded and, in Florence, the cooks had to increase the chowder to 700 gallons to feed all of the people who ventured to the Rhody Festival. Indent1950 IndentIn an attempt to stimulate attendance and make the 1950 festival more exciting, activities were added. The attendance grew by over 300% to 5,000 people. Two days of festivities were planned to accommodate all the events. Queen Lola Cessnun, the 11th queen, was crowned during a dance in the Rainbow Hall at the Odd Fellows Lodge. There was a parade on Sunday. Indent1951 IndentTrygve Nordahl was the festival chairman. He would be one of the first people through the Mapleton Tunnel when it was completed in 1957. The delays in the completion of Highway 126 reflected the constant financial struggle that still exists today. Despite the fact that the road was incomplete, Florence residents were determined to hold a big celebration: It would take more than a mountain to keep people from attending. Autos could still be driven the long way from Eugene, and there was a good highway along the coast. Besides the 1951 parade, the balmy weather that year encouraged such outdoor activities as a junior baseball game. Relaxation after the war and prosperity promised good times for all. After all, RCA introduced an exciting new color TV in 1951, and people were beginning to think that it might even be possible to have television in Florence. Indent1952 IndentThe main festival was still held over a two-day period, but party time at the carnival started on Thursday and lasted until Sunday. That year childrenâs events were featured, and they signaled the establishment of a junior court which would be officially recognized the next year. The childrenâs events required an extra day, and Friday was added to the official program. A lineup of events featuring a band concert, air show, parade, water carnival and the traditional free clam chowder enticed people to travel to the coast. Many visitors came from other areas in Oregon and outside the state. Indent1953 IndentZilpha Meink was crowned the junior queen on May 15 to begin the childrenâs activities and a celebration that ended on May 17. Of course, there were gallons of free chowder to feed the attendees. Indent1954 IndentThe Red Scare enveloped the nation, and Senator Joe McCarthyâs hearings in Washington, D.C., wove a somber thread into the fabric of American life. But the blooming rhododendron still cast its spell over Florence. In 1954 a record 15,000 people attended the festivities. Even though there was no grand marshal that year, State Representative Loran Stewart crowned the queen, and there was chowder at the city park near the airport. The Booster Club became the festival sponsor and would be the sponsor for many years to come. The Junior Queen was Rebecca Sue Strauss. Indent1955 IndentThe highlight of the celebration that year was the dedication by Col. J. A. Simons, director of civil defense, of a new observation tower at the airfield. The event featured a fly-in breakfast by the Civil Air Patrol. Of course, the chowder pot was on, and the partygoers got their fill of the local delicacy. Another attraction was the âTomahawk,â a custom-built cabin cruiser, which would offer full charter sport fishing and excursions on the Siuslaw River. Indent1956 IndentElvis warbled Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes and Long Tall Sally. Marilyn Monroeâs face and physique became American icons. Even though she never came here in person, Florence is now an integral part of her legacy. The Archives of Milton H. Greene, the photographer who took the definitive Marilyn photos, as well as those of many other famous personages, now reside in Florence. IndentFor the second year, a fly-in was held and was so enjoyed that it was repeated the next year as a part of the events. The band concert of the May 25-27 celebration was also expanded to include a marching demonstration. The junior court, the queen, the parade and free chowder rounded out the program. Indent1957 IndentWhile there was no official theme to the activities that year, it was the 50th anniversary of the Rhododendron celebration, and that milestone became the emphasis of the program. Ralph Petersen was grand marshal, and he crowned Queen Jo Lece Hartzel. Congressman Charles O. Potter was the keynote speaker of the occasion. Indent1958 IndentSince it had an ocean port, the safety of seagoing vessels had been a constant concern for Florence. In 1958 safety was emphasized by having Col. Jackson Graham, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, act as grand marshal. In that capacity he crowned Queen Rebecca Cooley. It was a big celebration with a theme of âMelodies on Parade.â The events were numerous too, with a fly-in sponsored by the Civil Air Patrol, a beard-grooming contest, baseball games, helicopter rides and log races under the auspices of the Coast Guard. The Booster Club served free crab cocktails, and for dessert some enjoyed a pie-eating contest. Indent1959 IndentThat year marked âOregonâs Centennial Year,â so it was only natural that the phrase also became the festival theme. Indent1960 IndentThe grand marshal was Oregon Supreme Court Justice Alfred T. Goodwin, and he crowned Queen Georgia Fithian. The Eugene Aqua Skippers put on a show at Woahink Lake, but the previously free chowder event became a money raiser. However, chowder was free to any attendee who bought a Rhody Button. The price of a button was a small fee considering that it also gave admission to the other events, such as square dancing and a sports car and boat show. Indent1961 IndentThe theme was âStory Land,â and TV had come to Florence with âUncle Charlieâ LaFranchise of KPTV as the grand marshal. A coffee hour honoring Governor and Mrs. Mark O. Hatfield was included in the list of events. Indent1962 IndentThe crowds so enjoyed Grand Marshal âUncle Charlieâ La Franchise that he was invited back a second year, and the 1961 honoree was again the grand marshal for 1962. Indent1963 IndentFlorence, as reflected through the Rhododendron Festival, has always tried to reach out to other areas for commerce and fun. Florence cannery and wood products were marketed up and down the West Coast via ship. More modern transportation gave Florence yet wider economic opportunities. It was therefore fitting that the 1963 theme should be âCountries of the World.â âRusty Nailsâ presided as grand marshal over the festival. Route F (Highway 126) was completed, and the Mapleton Tunnel was open. Ever more people would now come to the event. The agenda was packed with many repeat happenings, including the Arts and Crafts Show for the third year. In addition, the civic theater company presented a melodrama, and there was an antique car show. The chowder was only served if you wore a Rhody Button. Indent1964 IndentThe attendance grew to 25,000 people that year, and the chowder feed moved from the airport into town. Indent1965 IndentAbout 25,000 also attended the 1965 festivities when Mayor Stu Johnston crowned the junior queen and Mark Hatfield crowned Queen Annette Campbell. âHappiness is ------â was the theme, and 550 gallons of chowder was consumed âto the last slurpâ by those who had Rhody Buttons. Sen. Wayne Morse delivered a speech via Eugene Radio KPIR. Indent1966 IndentSlim Pickens served as grand marshal, and the theme was âMemories.â Indent1967 IndentâWould You Believeâ was the theme. Television actor Glenn Corbett was grand marshal, and Pat Johnson was queen. Indent1968 IndentThe theme was âLetâs Pretend,â and the queen was Vickie Hylton. Indent1969 IndentSlim Pickens returned as grand marshal when the theme was âDreams for Tomorrow.â The decade had been marked by the assassinations of several national figures, the Vietnam War, Hawks and Doves, doubt and promise, the Beatles, computers and space travel. Indent1970 IndentThe new decade brought hope. The 1970 theme was âWhat If,â and John Brodie, San Francisco 49ers quarterback, led as grand marshal. Blue skies and sunshine added to the optimism of the 25,000 to 30,000 who attended. Indent1971 IndentThe next year started a succession of backward glances at earlier festivals. The festival of 1971âs theme turned back to âJust Dreaming of 1908,â the founding year of the Rhododendron Festival. Grand Marshal Jack Fleming, radio personality from KPNW, Eugene, appeared under sunny skies and cool coastal breezes. Indent1972 IndentThe festival honored Mrs. Alberta Morris, 1912 and fifth Queen Rhododendra on her 74th birthday. She still worked part time as a cookâs helper at the West Lane Hospital. The queen that year was Kathy Johnson, and the theme of the festival was âThe Best Things in Life are Free.â Indent1973 IndentThe grand marshal was Emma Brynd Kyle, runner-up for queen in the 1908 festival. As in the 1908 festival, she rode in a long line of boats that paraded down the Siuslaw River. One of the highlights was a float that featured âChief Chowderheadâ Glenn Oare and his cronies who had dished up chowder for over 20 years. Someone else dished up the 600 gallons of chowder for those who wore Rhody Buttons. IndentEarly in the â70s, the now-restored Old Town section of Florence was a seedy, dilapidated and largely boarded-up section of town where the only viable businesses were scruffy saloons. Motorcyclists had started coming to the festival and found the conditions in Old Town much to their liking. The bikers reveled in rowdiness and soon became a problem and a concern to the citizenry. It is said that this problem was the root cause of an embarrassing gaffe that put Florence in the national news. It was decided by the city council to enact an ordinance that would rein in unseemly activity among those of an anti-social bent. After discussion, an ordinance was enacted which would prohibit âdefecation, urination or sexual activity in any public place or in any private place visible to the public.â The adopted ordinance was duly sent off to the typist and the printer, after which it was distributed. Unfortunately, during the transcription process, the last four words of the ordinance were omitted so that the published law prohibited all those intimate activities in âany public place or in any private place,â period. The news agencies caught on to the story, and it became good for a chuckle on many a slow news day and in broadcasts by Paul Harvey and others. Indent1974 IndentQueen: Pam Rose. Indent1975 IndentQueen: Cindy Nelson. âPioneerâs Dreamâ was the theme. Indent1976 IndentIt was logical that the 1976 theme would be âBicentennial Bouquet, Now and Then.â Indent1977 IndentThe theme was âGood Times, Past and Future.â Queen: Niki Mathews Indent1978 IndentâPioneer Spirits â Great in 78â was the theme. During the decade the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum was founded and the Pioneer Association began to collect historical interviews with those living pioneers of the area. The theme honored the past but always had a note of hope for the future, reflecting brighter happenings nationally. John Travolta had stepped out to âSaturday Night Fever,â operaâs âGolden Tenorâ Luciano Pavarotti was acclaimed, and âJawsâ had scared everyone from the movie screens. McDonaldâs introduced the Big Mac and launched an advertising program that told us, âYou Deserve a Break Today.â Indent1980 IndentThe Rhododendron Festivals during the decades of the â80s and the â90s have reflected life in general. Some years looked forward and others looked backward, sometimes being thankful, and sometimes joyful. In 1980 the theme was the âAll-American Family,â but the program looked at all of the activities in Florence. Sand sculpturing used the natural resources of the beach; boat races, the water; an Indian dance demonstration, the coastal Indian tribes and their heritage; and the flower show displayed the beauty of the rhododendrons and other flowers. Even Harry R. Truman, the 84-year-old man who had been rescued from his lodge when Mt. St. Helens volcano blew, was depicted on the Sweepstakes Float. Indent1981 IndentThe Native Americans, who inhabited the area early in history, were recognized that year. Six princesses of the Siuslaw Inter-Tribal Indian Councils were crowned in a special ceremony. Physical fitness was now an important part of American life, and for the third year, the Rhody Run had become well established as had the Silver Trails Slug Race, now in its fifth year. Also included was a mushroom display. Indent1982 IndentThe regional aspects of the festival were evident in the form of a replica of the Mapleton covered bridge adorning the float which would win the sweepstakes trophy. The theme was âThanks for the Memories,â and the queen was Chris Emory. Indent1983 IndentQueen: Brenda Bond. Theme: âThrough the Eyes of a Child.â Indent1984 IndentA limited-edition commemorative plate was issued for the festivities which had a theme of âSiuslaw Dream.â Queen was Sheri Price. Indent1985 IndentThe theme was âThose Were the Days.â Under the shroud of the Challenger disaster, grand marshal and actress June Lockhart crowned Queen Kathy Wobbe. Indent1986 IndentJune Lockhart returned with her sister, Anne, and the two served as grand marshals for 1986. The theme turned inward for âA Siuslaw Heritage, Spanning 50 Years.â Western Lane Furniture initiated a quilt display. Indent1987 IndentThe theme was âNever-Ending Story.â Dawn Chehak was queen. Indent1988 IndentTina McKenzie was queen for the festival, which had the theme âItâs a Small World.â Indent1989 IndentNever losing sight of Florenceâs grandeur, the theme that year was âFlorence, the Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow.â It harkened back to George Millerâs late 1800s idea that people should be able to travel from New York to Florence by road. That year the Rhody Queen, Vanessa Shelton, was picked on the basis of talent, poise, personality and the sale of Rhody Buttons. Many repeat events were planned. For the second year there was a Mustang car roundup, the 11th Rhody Run, a quilt show and an added attraction of the first clam dig. Indent1990 IndentThe festivals of the â90s still attract people from the surrounding areas and still feature fun and good times for all. In 1990 the theme was âA Fantasy in Color.â Queen: Jennifer King. Indent1991 IndentTheme: âAmerican Heroes.â Queen: Kristina Sullivan. Indent1992 IndentâGo for the Goldâ was the theme. The queen was Dawnielle Anderson. Alas, the chowder feed had long since been dropped. The local restaurants offered it as a regular menu item, but no one could find a single pot sufficiently large to brew enough to feed the swelling crowds. Indent1993 IndentTheme: âFlorence: 100 Years and Blossoming.â Queen: Shannon Johnson. Indent1994 IndentQueen: Tiffany Cates. Theme: âWhere the Sun Never Sets.â Grand Marshal: Marge Severy. Indent1995 IndentQueen: Rovina Murti. Theme: âAn Event to Remember.â Indent1996 IndentQueen: Rae Deris. Theme: âJust Dune It.â Indent1997 IndentQueen: Teola Wilkins. Grand Marshall: Mayor Tadao Murahasni, Ijira Mura, Japan Indent1998 IndentQueen: Tami Bryant. Theme: âDream a Little Dream.â In 1998, the 91st festival featured many repeat activities. The Arts and Crafts Show was a âmust see.â Vendors had many treasures to sell. The motorcyclists came, as they have for almost 20 years. Some still remember the old days when bikers were a disruptive crowd and want to blame them for every untoward incident that occurs. A fair observer, however, would have to say that they are not the anti-social scofflaws of the â70s. Now they provide a show of the handsomest machines on two wheels. Bay Street on Rhody Days is a beautiful display of one expensive machine next to another for all to see. They compete with the old car shows for attention. Indent1999 IndentQueen: Crystal Stinger. Theme âEverything is coming up Rhodies.â The parade featured many bands including the 37th appearance of the Eugene Highlanders with their Scottish pipes. There were horses, and cars, and people, and floats â all marching proudly down Highway 101, on which traffic was restricted during those spirited moments. The Rhododendron Queen and her court rode on one float as did the âLittle Cutiesâ and the junior court. The parade went on and, as each year, everyone hoped for spectacular coastal sunny skies. Nature smiled kindly down upon Florence, blessing us with cool ocean breezes and not a drop of rain. IndentThere was the 20th running of the Rhody Run and games and the carnival with rides and amusements from Thursday to Sunday. The plant sale and flower show were held at the Florence Events Center. Classic cars were exhibited at the Emporium shopping center, and there was a boat show. In addition, most of all, there were people and people and people from far and wide. Indent2000 IndentBrought "Unforgettable Memories" as Grand Marshals were radio personalities Bill Barrett and Tim Fox from New Country 93 which seemed appropriate for the 93rd Annual Festival. The weather was just as beautiful as Queen Courtney Stone. Indent2001 IndentWas another storybook Rhododendron Festival, with the fairy tale theme "Once Upon A Time." Queen Michelle Young and her court were a fabulous site on the their fairy tale castle float while Grand Marshals John Quay and Louis Campbell, present and former directors of the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum, cruised in a float designed as a boat with the thought of times reminiscent of when the parade was actually on the water. All with gorgeous weather and the "Show and Shine" actually turning away cars. Indent2002 IndentThe "Spirit of America Lives On" and so it did with Fire Chief John Buchanan, Police Chief Lynn Lamm and Major General Alexander Burgin as Grand Marshals doing us proud and remembering heroes of 9-11-01. The Junior Parade Marshal was Cheryl Wise of the Western Lane Country Boys and Girls Club. Activities ranged from crowning Chistina Zieske as Queen Rhododendra and perfect Blue Skies for the newest feature of Rhody Days, a Kite Show on the North Jetty. | ||
| Contact name | Sign Up To Be A Member | ||
| Phone | Sign Up To Be A Member | ||
| Event Website | Sign Up To Be A Member | ||
| Show hours | Sat 9-6, Sun 9-4 | ||
| Art/Craft Space price | $100 10x10 | ||
| Response deadline | 2010-04-30 | ||
| Maps and Directions (from Google Maps) | |||
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