Newport Fishermen's Wives, Inc.

November 8,9 7:45 am - 5:00 pm - Must register for this free 2 day course of hands on training - click above for more information.

The 3rd Saturday in March in Newport is the opening weekend of Oregon's annual Spring Break, and also the day set aside to celebrate our maritime heritage with our Annual Blessing of the Fleet sponsored by the Newport Fishermen's Wives.

Although the Blessing Parade is the centerpiece of the celebration, a whole day of events are planned beginning with the annual Memorial Service that will take place at the Fishermen's Memorial Sanctuary at Yaquina Bay State Park at 8am. This service is meant to offer support and encouragement to the families and community while remembering Lincoln County fishermen lost at sea. Participants are encouraged to bring a flower to add to a communal bouquet in remembrance of their friend or loved one. A week or so before the blessing there will be a special trail of blue ribbons tied from the Fishermen's Memorial at Yaquina Bay State Park along the Bayfront to the docks. This trail of ribbons symbolizes Lincoln County commercial fishermen since 1900 that have lost their lives at sea while working to harvest fresh wild seafood and make a life for their family.

Teams-of-three: don survival suits while being timed, enter the bay and swim out to a raft - anchored about 50 feet from the dock.  Once there they have to pull themselves up into the raft to stop the clock.  This is a team event where participants are encouraged to help each other so that all make it safely into the raft.  Teams are made up of fishermen, family members, US Coast Guard personnel, and community members like the Newport Loyalty Days and Sea Fair Festival Court.  The competition can be fierce and a lot of fun for all vying for best individual and team times. 

Who is the strongest and fastest?  Who will have the stamina to be called the Highliner?  The best of the best will be determined at the inaugural Highliner Competition, an exciting new addition to the annual Blessing of the Fleet presented by the Newport Fishermen's Wives, the 3rd Saturday in March.

Sept 21st, 2009

Mike Retherford of the F/V Winona J of Newport, and his wife Tia decided to drive up to Astoria to catch the Pacific Commercial Fishermen's Festival Sept 20th.  After arrival, Mike learned of a competition for fisherman that peeked his interest.

Click here for photo's of Mike competing!! 

“Bring it on!” Is the challenge to commercial fishermen and others who think they can beat the best in the annual Highliner Competition – the Signature Competition of the Pacific Commercial Fishermen’s Festival.  Speed, stamina and strength is required as competitors complete a grueling series of fishing related tasks including crab pot stacking (pots weigh an estimated 110 lbs each), line coiling, knot tying, line splicing, and chugging a bottle of Rat Basturd Rootbeer, among others tasks.  The clock stops when the competitors cross the finish line and get slapped by a bar maid, played by the lovely ladies from the Shanghaid In Astoria cast. Winners are judged on speed and finishing each task properly and completely.

The Highliner Competition is the Signature Competition of the Festival – No Whiners, Only Highliners!  There are two categories:  Under age 40 and 40 and above

Cash prize for 1^st place is $500 plus prizes from industry leaders.  Additional $500 to overall winner for a total cash prize of $1000.  Registration is $10

There is a practice area set-up for competitors.

Newport couldn't be prouder of Mike's second place standing and hope he and others from Newport enter next year!  Way-to-Go Mike!!