The picturesque coastal town of Yachats, Oregon is gearing up for its “Seventh Ever” Agate Festival, to be held Saturday and Sunday, January 13th and 14th 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the weekend of the Martin Luther King three-day holiday. The event is free.
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. Nearly 30 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.
On Saturday, January 13th at 11:00 a.m., the featured speaker will be Chris Landau, who is a geologist trained in South Africa, and has linked dowsing to geology for many years. He has used geology and dowsing to find water wells, as well as creating geological maps, geomagnetic maps, and aerial photographs. He understands how and why the dowsing rod works for almost everybody. He moved to Florence in 2015, and offers dowsing classes in places such as Cook’s Chasm and Thor’s Well.
Saturday, at 1:00 p.m.will be Beach Booty 101, offered byCaptain Cameron (so dubbed because of his knowledge of clam digging in this area). Hehas been an enthusiast of beach rock-hounding for many years. He has been a part-time Oregon Park Ranger and has given many talks for kids of all ages on treasures you can find on the beach – agates and much more.
The speaker on Sunday, January 14th: at 1:00 p.m. will be Guy DiTorrice, well known in Oregon as “The Oregon Fossil Guy”. Passionate about the treasures that can be found literally under our feet, he has conducted fossil finding tours along the central coast and elsewhere in the state. He’s an engaging speaker who appeals to audiences of all ages.
A special attraction will be a display of fluorescent minerals, whose vibrant colors are only visible under ultra violet light.
Once again this year the Yachats Area Presbyterian Church, also known as the “church of the agate windows”, will offer access to the sanctuary where the six large agate panels are displayed in their glory. A volunteer will be available at the church from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday the 13th.
The festival will be offering three separate drawings for valuable baskets of fine prizes from many local merchants. Proceeds from the raffle will be contributed to a community fund dedicated to assisting individuals and families in need.
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 Yachats Agate Festival Facebook page, the festival’s website at www.yachatsagatefestival.com, or by contacting the Yachats Visitor Center at 800-929-0477.
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