FLORENCE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 2024 RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL THEME, LOGO CONTEST
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce announced its selection of “High Tides and Good Vibes" submitted by Barb Danko as the theme for the 118th Rhododendron Festival May 16-19, 2024.
Danko wins a $100 Flocal Gift Card redeemable at scores of participating local merchants, bragging rights, and a place in Rhododendron Festival history.
“The festival, with its carnival, Rhododendron Court, parades, live music, classic car show and cruise, vendor fair, and flower show serves as the unofficial kickoff to the summer tourist season here in Oregon’s Coastal Playground,” said Bettina Hannigan, the Chamber’s president and CEO. “We can’t wait to experience all the fun that will come with ‘High Tides and Good Vibes’ in May.
“Generations of families have enjoyed all the fun of the Florence Rhododendron Festival. It’s a family tradition, an Oregon institution. And it is Oregon’s second-oldest floral festival, bested only by a year by the Portland Rose Festival. Every year we see thousands of visitors from around the state and across the country,” Hannigan added.
“This year we had more than 100 submissions for the Rhododendron Festival theme contest. The majority of ideas sent to us had a nautical, pirate and/or beach party vibe. Some that even honored the late Jimmy Buffett,” said Mitzi Hathaway, the Chamber’s director of tourism development and coordinator for the Florence Rhododendron Festival. “The Chamber Board of Directors felt that ‘High Tides and Good Vibes’ incorporated all of these unique ideas. It is going to be a fun theme to work with in the days leading up to the grand floral parade on May 19. I am personally excited to see how this year's theme brings out the creativity and positivity of our community,”
While announcing the 2024 theme, the Chamber also issued a call for entries for a logo design.
Amateur and professional graphic designers are encouraged to submit a logo design to fit the theme. The designer of the selected logo will win $250. Designs must incorporate the rhododendron flower, an element representative of the Florence area (river, bridge, ocean, beach, lakes, dunes or lighthouse for example), along with the theme and “118th Rhododendron Festival 2024, Florence, Oregon.” Details of the logo contest are available at FlorenceChamber.com. Entries are to be emailed to info@FlorenceChamber.com by November 1, 2023, with the subject line “2024 Logo Contest.”
DOWNLOAD LOGO CONTEST RULES HERE.
Tourism in Florence accounts for a $320 million infusion to the local economy and just over half of all local jobs. The festival opens Saturday night, May 11 (the weekend prior) with the coronation of Queen Rhododendra, the King of the Coast, and their royal court at the Florence Events Center. The Davis Shows Carnival at the Port of Siuslaw property in Old Town opens on Thursday of “Rhody Week.” Saturday traditionally features the annual 5K Rhody Run and Walk, the junior parade and kids’ activities, the annual Rhody Classic Car Show ‘n’ Shine, and the Coast Radio KCST/KCFM Classic Car Cruise through Old Town. Sunday brings the grand floral parade down Highway 101 at noon and into Historic Old Town next to the carnival. Throughout the event there will be a vendor’s fair in Old Town, a spectacular rhododendron show at the Florence Events Center, and live music, art, and other festivities and activities all over town.
For more information on the annual Florence Rhododendron Festival, including applications for the Rhododendron Court, exhibitor space, parade entries, or to volunteer on the Chamber’s Rhody Fest committee, contact Hathaway at Events@FlorenceChamber.com or 541-997-3128.
