Agate Festival in Yachats

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Fifth Annual Agate Festival
To Be Held in Yachats

The picturesque coastal town of Yachats, Oregon is gearing up for its “Fifth Ever” Agate Festival, to be held Saturday and Sunday, January 16th and 17th 2016, the weekend of the Martin Luther King three-day holiday.

Dubbed the “Gem of the Oregon Coast”, Yachats is internationally known for its natural beauty, including the treasures uncovered by winter storms and winds, making January a prime time for agate hunting. Vendors from throughout the state as well as from Washington and Northern California will be on hand to display and sell rough specimens and finished artistic creations of minerals, gems, crystals, and fossils. The show will take place at the Yachats Commons, located at Highway 101 and West 4th Street in the heart of town. In addition, there will be speakers, demonstrations, and fun things to do for all ages.

Noted geologist William Orr will speak on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Dr. Orr’s topic will be “Lagerstatten: Spectacular Fossil Locations”. On Sunday, at 1:00 p.m. Guy DiTorrice, also known as “The Fossil Guy”, will share his knowledge of local fossils found on the central Oregon coast beaches. There will also be a representative from the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center speaking about local treasures that can be found on central coast beaches.

This year the festival will offer a raffle for a valuable basket of fine prizes from many local merchants. The basket will include a gift certificate for a two-night stay at the newly re-furbished Ocean Creek Bed and Breakfast in Yachats. In keeping with the festival’s commitment to preserving and enjoying the beautiful natural environment that surrounds the Yachats area, proceeds from the raffle will be contributed to the historic Little Log Church Museum’s garden enhancement projects.

Since the festival began in 2012 the January event has been a big success, drawing visitors from throughout the northwest and beyond. Merchants, restaurants and lodging providers enjoy participating in the weekend activities.

More information may be obtained by visiting the Agate Festival website at www.yachatsagatefestival.com, the Yachats Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.yachats.org or by contacting the Yachats Visitor Center at 800-929-0477.

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