COVID-19 Spikes for Rhododendron Days
Today marks the first day of the Rhododendron Festival where there is expected to be tens of thousands of visitors to the coast. The festival comes on the heels of a surge in pandemic cases with Lane County having significant numbers of new daily cases. Yesterday Lane County reported 191 new cases and a daily average that has climbed about 140. There have been 32 new reported cases for the Florence area (1607) driving the all-time number over the 1600 mark. Health officials are warning people to be careful in large dense crowds and even considering wearing masks for protection. Dr. Karim Hussein a cardiologist with Peace Health says people are unaware of the lasting effects that the virus can cause including damage to the heart. The coronavirus is more than a flu which many have likened it to. He says the virus attacks our bodies in ways the flu does not. Over the past several days the state has seen record numbers of cases since the end of required mandates with just under 2000 cases reported in yesterday’s report. The daily average of cases has risen to 1473.
Davis Carnival
The Davis Carnival is ready to go today in the Port of Siuslaw parking lot on Nopal Street. Since he was born in 1957 Pat Davis has celebrated his birthday in Florence for the Rhododendron Festival years. In fact, he has missed only four.
“Two for covid and two my parents sent me away. My parents played this location before I was born.”
Davis and his wife Geraldine bought the family business, Davis Shows Northwest several years ago from his parents. After missing the last two year how does he feel to be setting up the carnival rides, games and food booths?
”Feels good. We’re happy to be here, we’re happy to see sunshine.”
The Davis Carnival opens 3:00 Thursday afternoon and will be open every day until Sunday evening. Arm Bands for daily unlimited rides are $35 or single ride tickets are six bucks. Single ride tickets can be purchased for a discount… pricing and other information are on our website. The carnival opens at noon Friday, then at 11 AM Saturday and Sunday.
Weinermobile
It is a sight to see. A 27 foot hotdog on wheels. The Oscar Meyer Weiner mobile has been entertaining audiences for decades and this year it has made it to the Rhododendron Festival. It will be visible all weekend at different places in the city including the Grocery Outlet parking lot tomorrow and at the Rod’s n Rhodies Show and Shine on Saturday. Local businessman Dan Lofy says he has been working with the “hotdoggers” for over 5 years and scored the prize for the 115th Rhododendron Festival.
Coronation
This evening at 6:30 at the Florence Events Center will be the official opening of the festival with the crowning of Queen Rhododendron and the King of the Coast. The five princesses and 5 princes along with the junior princesses will perform on stage this evening with hopes of taking the crown. All of the participants will be special envoys to the festival throughout the four days and can be seen distributing joy and goodwill. The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is also offering Past Royalty Buttons for 5 dollars for any and all past representatives of the Rhody Court and are available at the Florence Chamber visitors center, both locations of BJ’s Ice Cream and the Siuslaw News office.
