Annual Festivals

FLORENCE’S BEST-KNOWN EVENTS

Rhododendron Festival

For more than 110 years, residents of Florence have gathered each spring to celebrate the native rhododendron. The annual Rhododendron Festival, the third weekend in May, keeps the tradition alive. It is the city’s largest and best-known event. Each year’s theme emphasizes Florence as “The City of Rhododendrons.” The festival features parades, hot rods, flower shows, a carnival and the Coronation of

Queen Rhododendra and King of the

Coast at the Florence Events Center. Visit florencechamber.com for more info.

Rods ’n’ Rhodies & Community-wide Garage Sale

The Rods ’n’ Rhodies Invitational Car Show rolls into Old Town in September. With more than 100 highend hot rods coming from all over the western United States and Canada, this year’s show is sure to be something worth attending.

That same weekend, there are treasures aplenty waiting to be found at more than 60 locations during the annual Community-wide Garage Sale. Homes and businesses around the city and surrounding area participate.

Florence Festival of Books

Anyone who loves reading will want to visit the Florence Festival of Books, an annual book fair for both authors and publishers at the Florence Events Center in September. More than 50 authors and publishers of all different genres will be present, with their books available for sale and signing. New authors are encouraged to attend and learn how to have their work published.

Chowder Trail, Wine Walk & Great Glass Float Giveaway

Join the community for another adventure in Historic Old Town during the annual Chowder Trail and Wine Walk, now featuring the Great Glass Float Giveaway, in October. People can stroll along Bay Street to search for glass floats in a treasure hunt, while sipping wine and sampling chowder and other tasty cuisine at local restaurants. Live music and drawings for prizes are included. Visit florencechamber.com for more information.

Florence Holiday Festival

Get into the holiday spirit this winter while taking part in the many events planned for the annual Florence Holiday Festival, when the town is transformed into a winter wonderland full of lights, decorations and family-fun activities thanks to Florence Public works and the Florence chamber.

Look out for Oregon Coast Military Museum’s annual Festival of Trees, Christmas Tree Lighting at the Siuslaw River Bridge Interpretive Center on Bay Street, Holly Jolly Follies variety show and the Florence Nativity Festival. Then, go to the Victorian Christmas Open House at Heceta Head B&B.

TR Hunter Real Estate

1749 Highway 101, Florence, Oregon 541-997-1200 • 800-210-7453

Your perfect property is waiting at www.trhunter.com

ONE CALENDAR YEAR

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, not all 2020-21 events in Florence will continue as planned

JANUARY New Year’s Day Winter Music Festival

FEBRUARY Crab Crack Fraudville FEC Indoor Yard Sale

MARCH Rotary Auction Home & Garden Show Community Job Fair PTA Talent Show Be Ready Disaster Expo

APRIL Early Rhody Flower Show Community Health Fair CROW presents Spring Musical

MAY Oregon Dunes Triathlon Rhododendron Festival Rhody Flower Show Spring Dance Showcase Florence Big Wave PoetryFest

JUNE Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Siuslaw Awards

Mapleton & Siuslaw High School Graduations Fore Kids Golf Classic Kiwanis Golf Scramble Library Summer Reading Program

JULY 4th of July Celebration Wings & Wheels Fly-In Oregon Coast Military Museum Celebration Power of Florence Van Fans Ice Cream Social CROW Summer Theater Camps City of Florence Block Party

AUGUST Siuslaw Athletic Booster Club Banquet Florence Police Department National Night Out Siuslaw Open Golf Tournament

SEPTEMBER Habitat for Humanity Beach Walk Florence Community-wide Garage Sale Rods ’n’ Rhodies Florence Festival of Books OCTOBER Florence Chamber Wine Walk & Chowder Trail

Boomer & Senior Expo

Okto-Fur-Fest Wiener Dog Races 35

Library demARTS KCST Great Pumpkin Giveaway

Scare-CROW

Haunted Maze

NOVEMBER Veterans Day Parade Food Share Pounding Kiwanis Community Thanksgiving Dinner Last Resort Players Fall Show

DECEMBER Holiday Tree Lighting OCMM Festival of Trees Empty Bowls for Florence Food Share Holly Jolly Follies Holiday Arts Festival Light Up A Life Soroptimist Christmas Basket Toy & Food Giveaway Florence Nativity Festival Elks Christmas Dinner New Year’s Eve Celebration