RECAP: Port Orford Weekend Events + Specials
February 28th - March 2nd, 2025 — Port Orford, OR
Winter Waters is made our first-ever journey to the Southern Oregon Coast, landing in the gem of a fishing village, Port Orford! A huge thank you to Discover Port Orford, Port Orford Main Street, and Travel Curry Coast for sponsoring Winter Waters on the South coast.
Port Orford feels like a secret you just can’t wait to share. At the heart of this community is the Port of Port Orford, where the rare dolly dock showcases a spectacle few ever witness - fishing boats hoisted in and out of the water! This working port supports not only a vibrant mom-and-pop commercial fishing fleet but is a hub for marine conservation, research, and education.
Art Show - Port Orford Public Library
Local artists and artisans to displayed their art inspired by the sea at the Port Orford Public Library during the Winter Waters weekend takeover of Port Orford. We enjoyed jewelry, paintings, driftwood sculptures, stained glass, and ceramics from artists Jessica Lawler of Seaward Ceramics, Holly Lucas, Kathee Woods, Cherry Beeken, Michelle Leonard, Lorilie Cameron, Rebecca Babcock, Heidi Foss, and Helen Stonhill.
Menu Special - Crazy Norwegian’s Fish & Chips
Crazy Norwegian’s Fish & Chips featured a Winter Waters special for two days only (March 1st & 2nd). Check it: Bánh Mì, with house made kimchi made with fresh dulse seaweed, blackened halibut, and wasabi aioli.
Open Special Hours - Port Orford Lifeboat Station
The Cape Blanco Heritage Society was kind enough to open the Port Orford Lifeboat Station over the Winter Waters Weekend (March 1st + 2nd) so history buffs could experience the only Forge River-type station left on the West Coast. Normally closed from November - April, this is a special treat!
The Coast Guard operated this lifesaving station from 1934 to 1970. When ships were in distress offshore, these incredibly brave men ran down over 500 steps to the boathouse and took 37-foot motor lifeboats out into 80 MPH winds and 20-foot seas to save lives. The museum contains many fascinating exhibits including artifacts from wrecks, a scale model of Orford Heads, restored living quarters of the Coast Guardsmen and one of the motor lifeboats that operated here.
Port Orford SeaFest - Mr. Ed’s Underground Pub
We had a blast in Port Orford at SeaFest, a fun, free, family-friendly event at Mr. Ed’s Underground Pub. The afternoon event celebrated local seafare and the people who make it all possible. Local commercial fisherman Wilson Thompson of F/V Fantasy lead an Oregon Albacore tuna cutting demonstration on stage. Little did we know his demo would double as a comedy routine!
See our full event recap HERE.
Menu Specials - Redfish
Port Orford restaurant Redfish featured Pacific Dulse in a special lingcod dish as well as in a new martini on the menu called Sirin Song.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Tour - Port Orford + Bandon
We were so impressed by the community support and engagement in Port Orford. It was especially evident on the final day of our Winter Waters events. Our Fisheries and Aquaculture Tour in Port Orford and Bandon was sold out and fully attended, despite the poor weather forecast. The day was filled with education, an amazing lunch, plenty of rain, and a group of strong, enthusiastic participants.
See the full event recap HERE.
Ocean Poetry at Sea Wolf Books
Sea Wolf Books offered 10% off any non-fiction books relating to oceans and rivers, and set up an ocean-centric poetry-writing station with poetic inspiration and writing prompts available to folks of all ages. Check out the poetry created from this activation HERE.