It Begins; Astoria, Oregon To Celebrate 200th Anniversary With Year-Long Bicentennial Events In 2011

Paulette McCoy - Astoria Bicentennial Committee
503-325-5889
abc2011@cumtux.org
Astoria, Oregon

ASTORIA, Ore. – July 28, 2010

As the oldest United States settlement west of the
Rockies, the little town of Astoria is going all out to create “An Adventure in History”
with three major signature events and ongoing exhibits, displays, festivals and historical
home tours.

This Northwest town of 10,000 residents perched on a wooded hillside surrounded by
the Columbia River Estuary with views to the Pacific Ocean, is renowned for its stature
near Fort Clatsop, the end of the Lewis & Clark expedition, for its well-preserved
Victorian homes and because of its history as the “Salmon Canning Capital” of the world.

An “Astoria Bicentennial Trading Post” is already open offering books, commemorative
souvenirs, collectible coins, clothing and unusual gifts.

“We call our store a trading post because that’s how Astoria started -- it was John Jacob
Astor’s establishment of a fur trading post in 1811 that gave the United States its claim
to this region and eventually determined the Northwestern boundary of the US.” says
Bicentennial Director, Paulette McCoy.

Residents of Astoria expect an international crowd throughout their Bicentennial year
since Astoria’s sister city is Walldorf, Germany (the birthplace of John Jacob Astor),
because of its ethnic diversity (Astoria is home to a large Scandinavian and Finnish
population, along with Chinese, Croatian and others) and also because of Astoria’s
famed Fort Clatsop in the Lewis & Clark National Park.

Astorians are proud of their culture, history and heritage and although the town is now home to luxury hotels, fine restaurants and art galleries, Astoria is still an authentic working fishing town with breathtaking views and great natural beauty, scenes which are virtually unchanged for
centuries.

Astoria Bicentennial Ambassador: Rex Ziak
Noted historian and native-born Astorian Rex Ziak will serve as an Astoria
Bicentennial ambassador and spokesperson. He will be traveling throughout the
Northwest giving presentations to schools and civic groups, as well as private
corporations and associations.

“Many Americans are unfamiliar with Astoria’s significance on the world stage and they
don’t know Astoria’s legends and fascinating history. My aim will be to engage people in
the human interest stories which make Astoria a place unlike any other in the United
States,” said Ziak.

Signature Events;

Bicentennial event organizers plan to attract visitors with three signature events during
2011; an Opening Ceremony in the spring, a summer Regatta with a Bicentennial Ball and a fall Super Homecoming with high profile officials, celebrities and even a visit from Lord Astor of Hever (John Jacob Astor VIII), who lives in London.

Throughout the year, there will also be fishing and logging demonstrations, a fur trader encampment, ethnic festivals, cultural celebrations, the tall ships, contests, lectures, museum exhibits, and parties with birthday cake for everyone.

The theme of the Astoria Bicentennial is “An Adventure in History”, and
the Clatsop County Historical Society has produced a film by the same
name which showcases Astoria’s past as well as the vibrant and charming Astoria of
today with its Victorian homes, a real working waterfront, and the iconic Astoria Column.

For more information contact Paulette McCoy at 503-325-5889 or visit
www.astoria200.org.To book Astoria Bicentennial Ambassador Rex Ziak,
visit http://www.rexziak.com/

Visit Official Bicentennial Website