CHAMBER ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF 2020 RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce has announced it is canceling the 113th Rhododendron Festival. Chamber executive director Bettina Hannigan met Monday, March 30, via virtual meeting with the Chamber’s presidential team and Florence city manager Erin Reynolds to forward the recommendation to the Chamber’s board of directors to cancel the event. The board approved. For perspective, this will be the first time since WWII that Rhody Fest has been canceled. “Based on the most current facts, government guidelines, and trending information, we must cancel Rhody Fest for 2020,” said Hannigan. “We gave this decision as long as we could and the deepest consideration. We had hoped for better news and a faster recovery.” “Logistically, there is no way to predict or plan for a new date this year, or postpone it until fall,” added Hannigan. “Many chambers across the country are canceling […]
Many Florence restaurants are offering take – away and curbside service. Here is a list as of March 23. Things are changing by the minute, we recommend you call first. Download the list as of April 2nd here.
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce announced that Dana Vion from Springfield is the winner of its recent photo contest. “Dana’s action shot of a kiteboarder at the south jetty reflects the true spirit and beautiful scenery of Florence as Oregon’s Coastal Playground,” says Bettina Hannigan, the Chamber’s executive director. “Dana’s photo really captured a fun ‘playground’ moment and expresses how great Florence is for outdoor fun,” says Hannigan. “It was a very close decision, made all the more difficult by the fact that we received scores of outstanding amateur and professional photos. Each shows different aspects of the best of our area’s scenery, iconic buildings, natural wonders, and with families having fun in and around Florence. You can really see why we call this place Oregon’s Coastal Playground.” Vion works as a professional photographer, freelances for area publications such as Eugene Magazine, and does photographic and video work for […]
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is holding a drawing for a two-night stay at Three Rivers Casino and Resort, including a dinner in any of their exceptional restaurants, to use anytime in 2020. To enter go to www.FlorenceChamber.com/contest and complete the entry form. Three Rivers Casino Resort offers guests a one-of-a-kind experience with luxurious rooms, four diverse best-in-class restaurants, superb entertainment options, and a top-of-the-line casino experience, golf at Ocean Dunes Golf Links, free wi-fi, in-room microwaves and refrigerators, and electric car charging stations in one of the most relaxing locations in Oregon. While in Florence winners can explore the unique mix of quaint shops, stunning galleries, delicious food and drinks, the marina, parks, and bridge of Historic Old Town Florence—right along the river. They can head south over the bridge to start a sand dune adventure with rented ATVs, professionally driven sand rails, or on a sandboard. Or, […]
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce announced its selection of “Blast from the Past” submitted by Stan Pusieski of Florence, as the theme for the 113th Rhododendron Festival. To help promote the annual event, the Chamber’s board of directors is holding a logo design contest. The board is requesting a design that incorporates the event’s name, dates, location, theme, and familiar elements from around the area. Contest rules are available here and at the Chamber’s visitors center, 290 Highway 101. Deadline for submissions is January 19, 2020. The winner will be announced January 24 and receive a $250 cash prize and carnival passes. Their work will be seen across a multitude of media that promote the event which runs from May 15 to 17, 2020. “With ‘Blast from the Past’ as our theme for the 2020 Rhododendron Festival, it opens the door to a wide variety of fun ideas,” says […]
The 12th annual Siuslaw Awards event is fast approaching. The awards banquet, sponsored by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, will happen on February 12th at the Florence Events Center. This prestigious event recognizes excellence in the local business community by naming recipients for awards in Excellence in Customer Service, Curb Appeal, Non-Profit Achievement, Community Caring, Innovation in Business, and the Stu Johnston Business of the Year Award. Two outstanding individuals in the community will be honored with the First Citizen Award and the Future First Citizen Award. The First Citizen Award recognizes that individual who has given selflessly to the community based on community involvement, leadership, and overall community impact. The Future First Citizen Award recognizes a student based on his or her academic success as well as civic involvement and contributions to the community. The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce will also recognize an individual or business that […]