Early summer mornings in Pacific City still feel like a secret to many. You can make your way down the beach to find the Pacific City Dory Fleet gathered at the edge of the water. The flat-bottomed dory boats launch directly through the surf, a remarkable sight that baffles newcomers, brings joy to locals, and continues to define the small coastal community of Pacific City, Oregon. While many festivals celebrate history, the 67th Annual Dory Days, taking place July 17–19, 2026, celebrates a tradition that is still very much alive.
For nearly seven decades, Dory Days has honored the fishermen, families, volunteers, and community members who have preserved one of Oregon’s most distinctive maritime traditions. Recognized by the Oregon Heritage Commission as an Oregon Heritage Tradition, the annual celebration invites visitors to experience a working fishing culture that continues to shape life in Pacific City today.
The 2026 celebration carries the theme “Long May She Wave,” honoring both the enduring spirit of Pacific City’s dory fleet and America’s 250th anniversary.
Throughout the weekend, visitors will enjoy traditions that have become synonymous with Dory Days, including the three-day Artisan Fair, community concert featuring Countryfied, the Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District pancake breakfast, the beloved Dory Days Parade, dory-caught fish fry, family activities, bingo, and opportunities to meet members of the dory fleet who continue to launch their boats through the surf today.
One of the weekend’s most meaningful experiences comes on Sunday, July 19, when the celebration concludes with “Dory Fishers: Sand Kickin’ and Story Tellin’” at the Kiawanda Community Center from 1 to 3 p.m. Inspired by the “Launching Through the Surf: The Dory Fleet of Pacific City” traveling exhibition, which returns to the Kiawanda Community Center for the 2026 Dory Days celebration, this storytelling event brings the exhibit’s oral histories to life through the voices of the dory community itself. The exhibit is part of a collaborative oral history project begun in 2011 by Linfield University and the Pacific City Dorymen’s Association, and this free event invites visitors to hear directly from the fishermen and families whose lives have been shaped by the sea.
From hilarious mishaps and legendary surf launches to heartfelt reflections on family, boat building, and life on the ocean, these first hand stories offer something few festivals can: a chance to step into the “living rooms” of Pacific City’s fishing families and experience the tradition through the voices of those who live it every day.
Whether watching a dory launch through the surf, cheering on the parade, enjoying freshly caught seafood, browsing handcrafted goods, or listening to fishermen recount adventures from a lifetime on the ocean, visitors won’t simply learn about Oregon’s maritime history, they’ll experience a living tradition that continues to shape the community today.
For a complete schedule of events, parade information, volunteer opportunities, and additional details, visit www.pacificcitydorydays.com
