Meet Our 2025 Grand Marshal and Dory Princesses
Grand Marshal — Steve Johnson
Steve Johnson is a third-generation fisherman and for the past 20 years has served as a director of the Pacific City Dorymen’s Association.
His grandfather, Homer Johnson, ran a troller out of Garibaldi, starting a family legacy on the water. Steve’s father, Jerry “J” Johnson, followed in Homer’s footsteps and became a local icon—serving as Grand Marshal of the Dory Days Parade and owning four different dory boats over the years.
Steve’s journey began more than 55 years ago when he started salmon trolling with his dad as a young boat puller. In the mid-1970s, during high school, Steve was offered his own dory, the Stanley Steamer. He quickly took to the sea, following his dad and hand-cranking in salmon—some his father “missed”—earning money that helped pay for tuition at Linfield University.
Around 2010, Steve took over the JJ, a 1988 Learned-built dory passed down from his father. He’s fished it ever since—both recreationally and commercially. The JJ remains in great shape and was recently outfitted with its fourth engine.
In 1983, Steve married Kathleen. They raised two daughters, Kimberly and Nicole, who they are immensely proud of. The family still enjoys time together on the dory.
Senior Princess — Avery Johnson
Avery Booth Johnson is the great-granddaughter of longtime dory fisherman Dave Booth, whos passion for the ocean began in 1975 when he bought a “Salem” dory, naming it the Judy B after his wife, Judy. He began commercial fishing off Pacific City, with his daughter—Avery’s grandmother—Nancy Booth Gardner, serving as his puller through her high school years.
In 1981, Nancy gave birth to Gary Allen Johnson—Avery’s father—who also became an avid dory fisherman. Gary later bought an old “Salem” boat like his grandfather’s and fished both commercially and for sport. Dave passed down his gear and knowledge of the ocean to Gary.
Avery caught her first salmon at age five alongside her dad and Grandpa Dave. Now 16, she’s deeply connected to the sea and looks ready to carry on the family’s proud dory fishing tradition.
Junior Princess — Evie Stuart
Evie Stuart is an energetic and talented student who enjoys basketball, softball, swimming, and creating art. She also loves cheering on her brother, Kael, at baseball games. A dedicated artist, Evie won first place in her age group in the Dory Days coloring contest. She’s an enthusiastic learner and excels academically at Nestucca K-8.
Evie is the daughter of Lauren Kellow Stuart and Shane Stuart, and the granddaughter of Wes and Elizabeth Kellow. She represents the seventh generation of the Kellow family in the Nestucca Valley, a legacy rich in local history.
Her connection to the sea runs deep. Both of her great-great-grandfathers—from the Kellow and Schulmerich families—were skilled wooden boat builders who launched from Cape Kiwanda and fished the Nestucca River. Family stories say her great-great-uncle, Howard Kellow, designed and built the first square-ended dory launched from the beach, changing the traditional double-ended design.
That tradition lives on through her grandfather Wes and great-uncle Ron, who helped design, build, and fish the Dark Star, a dory proudly featured in many Dory Days parades.
©2025 Pacific City Dory Days
Website design and development generously donated by local artist and resident Aimee O’Will.