Celebrate America’s Freedom at the Beach!

It’s that time of year again! Come join the fun during Newport’s 61st annual Loyalty Day and Sea Fair Festival! The Festival will take place this year from May 4th through May 7th, and is a chance for the City of Newport and visitors to come together and support the community, country, and the men and women who serve and have served.

The idea for Loyalty Day originated with East Coast chapters of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) shortly after World War I, and steadily gained popularity across the nation. The purpose of the event was to set aside a special day for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States of America and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.

Shortly after Loyalty Day was recognized by Congress in 1955, and even before President Eisenhower dedicated it a national holiday in 1958, Newport’s American Legion Post #116 started the local Loyalty Day Festival in 1956. Newport’s first Loyalty Day was celebrated with a free crab dinner. In 1957, Oregon Governor Robert Holmes and Newport City Mayor Ellis Moses issued a proclamation asking all citizens to step forward and renew their faith in America.

Although a fixture of the Newport community, there was a lapse in organization in 1973, and the event went unobserved. This prompted the students of Newport High School to set and accomplish the goal to revive Loyalty Day in Newport. The determined teens breathed fresh life into Loyalty Day, and with their active participation since 1974, the event has steadily grown in size and has added numerous activities. Local community volunteers are also an essential part of the Festival’s continued success.

Every day of the Festival, Davis Shows Family Carnival will provide rides and games; advance tickets are available for $20 at the JC Market service desk. The highlight of the event is the annual parade on Saturday, featuring all branches of the military and Newport firefighters, this year’s Loyalty Day Princesses, Sydney Anderson, Galilea Maldonado, Laura McCrum, and Chelsea Alatriste, and the 2017 Grand Marshal, Captain Andrew Emmanuel Schaal. Celebrate Loyalty Day and Sea Fair Festival for the day or stay for the extended weekend!

 

Thursday, May 4th:

3 pm – 10 pm – Davis Shows Northwest Family Carnival

Friday, May 5th:

12 pm – Luncheon with Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce

12 pm – Veterans Lunch at the 60+ Center

2 pm – 11 pm – Davis Shows Northwest Family Carnival

7 pm – 9 pm – Queen’s Coronation at Newport Performing Arts Center

9 pm – Annual “Reading of the Names” Don Davis Park Gazebo

Saturday, May 6th:

11 am – 11 pm – Davis Shows Northwest Family Carnival

11:45 am – Coast Hills Fun Run

12 pm – 2 pm – 61st Annual parade along Highway 101

2 pm – 5 pm American Legion Post #116 Open House

Sunday, May 7th – Blessing of the Fleet: Newport Fisherman’s Wives

9 am – Survival Suit Races

10 am – Coast Hills Classic Mountain Bike Race

11 am – High Liners Competition at Yaquina Bay Yacht Club

11 am – 12:30 pm – BBQ at Yaquina Bay Yacht Club

12 pm – 8 pm – Davis Shows Northwest Family Carnival

1 pm – Blessing of the Fleet

4 pm – Fisherman’s Memorial at Yaquina Bay State Park