Be a part of the Pacific City Dory Days Parade Legend! 

This year’s parade kicks off at 11 a.m. July 15 with the theme “Legends of the Deep.” It starts from the county boat ramp at Bob Straub State Park and ends about one mile later at the Oar House Bar and Grill on Brooten Road. Arrive early to grab your spot along the parade route!

The Dory Days Festival – originally known as the Dory Derbies – was started in 1959 by Paul Hanneman, who from 1965 to 1990 served in the Oregon House of Representatives and famously sponsored Oregon’s landmark “bottle bill.” As communities across Oregon celebrated the state’s centennial in 1959, Hanneman thought Pacific City should have something of its own.

“The Dory Fleet is old heritage, tradition, part of the community,” said Kimberley Miller, parade chair. “It’s one of those things that everyone likes to hold onto. When we get a chance to see all the dory boats and fishermen and families all out enjoying themselves, it’s magical.”

“Our parade last year had 68 entries which doesn’t sound like that much, but it was huge,” Miller said. “We could see the parade going across the bridge and we still had half the parade in the parking – about a half a mile away. People start putting their chairs out early -- all along Sunset Drive, all along Pacific Avenue across the bridge, all along Brooten Road ... 4,000 to 5,000 people at least.”