The central Oregon coast’s picturesque village of Yachats will host its second ever Agate Festival, Saturday and Sunday, January 19th and 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Yachats Commons. The event is free.
Known as the “Gem of the Oregon Coast”, Yachats enjoys an international reputation as a mecca for agate hunters.
Winter is the ideal time for combing the beaches for agates and other treasures. Winter storms and high winds draw out the sand and expose rocks not seen at other times of the year. Event coordinators want to encourage people to visit the coast during the off season, when the pace is a little slower and nature-viewing is at its best.
In addition to agates, there will be minerals, gems, crystals and fossils on display at the Commons. Participating vendors are from throughout western Oregon and even central Washington, and will be showing raw specimens as well as finished products of jewelry, polished artifacts and “rocktography”.
Returning again this year as featured speaker will be Dr. James Chatters, a nationally recognized paleontologist from Washington. Chatters’ talk on fossils drew standing room only audiences last year. He also plans to share exciting information about some recent digs. Other speakers during the weekend event will include representatives from the Forest Service, and local beach safety experts.
This second ever Agate Festival is meant to be a family-fun and hands-on event. For more information, including where to stay in Yachats, you may contact the sponsors, the Yachats Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-929-0477 or visit yachats.org or goyachats.com