The Fourth of July is nearly upon us and in recent years over 100,000 visitors have come to Ocean Shores for cooler temperatures, fireworks on the beach, and holiday full of summer fun. Have you ever wondered what the Fourth of July was like in the 1960s? We turn to the Ocean Observer and Margaret Rasmussen for the scoop.
1961
The Fourth of July was noted to be a “really big weekend” with several posses and a clam derby hosted by the VFW.
(Rasmussen 1974)
1966
The first official fireworks show on the beach was held on July 3rd, 1966. The display included $1,000 worth of fireworks (just shy of $9,400 today). Fireworks were set off by technicians of the Hays Fireworks Company, along with Ocean Shores Volunteer Firefighters Don Wescott and Herb Foss, who were in training to become licensed pyrotechnicians. The show lasted 20 minutes and had an estimated total of 3,000 to 4,000 spectators, about half of which were thought to be from Aberdeen and Hoquiam.
(Ocean Observer, July 18 1966)
1967
The fireworks show was held again this year. It included another $1,000 worth of fireworks (about $9,100 today) and brought in an estimated 7,000 spectators.
(Ocean Observer, July 10 1968)
1968
There was no public fireworks display in 1968 (the Observer does not report why). This resulted in many calls with complaints, mostly from Aberdeen and Hoquiam.
However, visitors were not left completely without a fireworks show on the North Beach that year, as the fireworks show at Taholah Days went on as usual. Visitors who called in to enquire about the Ocean Shores show was directed there instead.
(Ocean Observer, July 10 1968)
And that’s the scoop.
It’s not a lot, and this may be due in part to the Pat Boone Celebrity Golf Classic, which was held in late June from 1966 through the end of the decade, receiving significantly more coverage in both the June and July editions of the Observer. Rasmussen barely mentioned the holiday at all.
One thing we can confirm from this is that despite how much has changed over the past 63 years, some traditions have endured.
If you’re coming to Ocean Shores for the Fourth of July, please stay safe. Review the fireworks regulations at www.osgov.com/visitors/4th_of_july.php. Keep an eye on the tides, pack out your trash, and keep fireworks and campfires at least 100ft away from the dunes.
References
Boom! Zowie! Fireworks big hit, although day early. (1966, July 18). Ocean Observer. Vol. 3 No. 7.
Complain about fireworks lack on 4th of July. (1968, July 10) Ocean Observer. Vol. 5 No. 6.
Rasmussen, M. L. (1974). Ocean Shores, Washington, the exciting growth years.
© Laura Caldwell, July 2023