The
upcoming Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Celebration is destined
to change the face of tourism forever on the north coast. It has
been forecast to become as massive as the influx of visitors to
the USS Missouri - which docked at the Port of Astoria attracting
125,000 people to the area - but multiplied and spread over a
period of years, rather than days.
Planning is already well underway nationwide, and even worldwide,
when you consider the amount of interest already developed over
the World Wide Web.
The Oregon Tourism Commission and the Oregon Heritage Commission
have produced a document simply titled, "Lewis & Clark
Bicentennial, 2003-2006," that lists twelve organizations
already established that are devoted almost exclusively to the
celebration. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
Lewis & Clark Bicentennial in Oregon, an oversight group represented
by the Oregon Heritage Commission and the Oregon Historical Society;
Lewis & Clark 2005 out of Portland; Lewis & Clark Trail
Heritage Foundation out of Newberg, Oregon; the National Lewis
& Clark Bicentennial Council, out of Vancouver, Washington;
and the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Association out of Astoria.
The Astoria association, working with Fort Clatsop National Memorial
and other organizations focused on our Lower Columbia Region,
is looking for your help.
Developments at the April 14 meeting of the association included
approval to proceed with a marketing plan, including the use of
the new Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Association logo, which
is in the copyright/trademark process; approval to begin second-phase
development of fund-raising/planning efforts; and planning for
the May work session to analyze and implement select recommendations
from the board development workshop with Patrick Overton of the
Front Porch Institute.
In support, the following businesses have made pledges to the
fundraising campaign: JJ Neikes, Lektro, ABECO, Coast Rehabilitation,
The Bank of Astoria, Coast Graphic Arts, Hoggard Auto Sales, The
Wet Dog and Knutsen Insurance, plus several individual contributions.
The board recently voted to increase the board from a maximum
of 15 members to 25, recruiting up to 10 individuals, with no
specific or required affiliation to local governmental bodies,
to broaden the base of involvement by members of the community.
Currently board members represent Clatsop County; the cities of
Cannon Beach, Seaside, Gearhart, Warrenton and Astoria; the Clatsop
County Economic Development Council; the Clatsop County Historical
Society; the National Park Service; Clatsop Community College;
the Chinook Tribe; and the Chambers of Commerce from Seaside,
Cannon Beach and Astoria/Warrenton.
The next public meeting for the group will be held Wednesday,
May 12 from 12:30 to 2:00pm at the Fort Clatsop National Memorial.
LCB
L & C Bicentennial Association
Principals: LaRee Johnson-Bruton, president, Debra Bowe, administrator
Address: #1 Sixth Street, P. O. Box 2005
Astoria, Oregon 97103
Telephone: 503/325-2293
Hours: Call for details
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