2nd Annual Port Orford SeaFest
February 28th, 2026, 2pm-6pm — Mr. Ed’s Underground Pub, Port Orford, OR
Mark your calendar and be part of something extra special - Winter Waters is returning to this gem of a fishing village, Port Orford! See the FULL LINEUP of events.
Our main event in Port Orford is a fun, free, family-friendly event at Mr. Ed’s Underground Pub. Come enjoy an afternoon celebrating local seafare and the people who make it all possible. We'll have a marine touch tank, folks from the seafood industry presenting information and samples, seafood processing demos, sea urchin tastings, and seaweed cooking demo + tasting. Bring the whole family! See the event recap from Port Orford SeaFest 2025 to get a feel for what’s in store next year.
This is a free event, no RSVP required. Simply show up!
Ocean Trivia led by marine biologist and ocean educator, Alanna Kieffer at SeaFest 2025. Prizes included Barnacle Foods Bullwhip Kelp Hot Sauce and canned Oregon Albacore tuna from Fishpatrick’s Specialty Tuna.
Port Orford SeaFest 2026 Event Schedule:
2-6pm: Partner Presentations: Non profits, community partners will be presenting information about their organizations. Walk around the room and talk to seafood and conservation leaders. Think touch tank with urchins, seafood bites, and kids activities.
2:30pm: On stage: Welcome from Mayor Ann Vileisis
3pm: On stage: Seaweed cooking demo + tasting with Alanna Kieffer of Oregon Seaweed and Shifting Tides NW, plus a Oregon Kelp Alliance-led sea urchin shucking demonstration
4pm: On stage: Port Orford’s Working Waterfront: Fishery Myths and Realities, myth-busters syle panel with local fishermen and port professtionals including:
Faith Townsend, Communications Coordinator, Port of Port Orford,
Wilson Thompson, Commercial Fisherman, Captain of F/V Fantasy
Catherine Scobby, Port General Manager, Port of Port Orford
Phillip Russman, Commercial Fisherman, Captain F/V Crystal Sea - Fish Tough! on Youtube
5pm: Ocean Trivia lead by Alanna Kieffer of Shifting Tides
7pm and beyond: live music by local artist
Port Orford feels like a secret you just can’t wait to share. At the heart of this community is the Port of Port Orford, where the rare dolly dock showcases a spectacle few ever witness - fishing boats hoisted in and out of the water! This working port supports not only a vibrant mom-and-pop commercial fishing fleet but is a hub for marine conservation, research, and education.
Oregon Albacore Commission Executive Director Ericka Carlson with a whole Albacore tuna in display at Port Orford SeaFest 2025.
Accommodations:
If you’re visiting from out of town, please book accommodations within Port Orford. Part of the mission of Winter Waters is to encourage visitors to book local accommodations and enjoy their time visiting the Oregon coast in the wintertime, so we hope you’ll join us all weekend.
Rent The Lily Pad for 25% off February 27th & 28th by messaging the host on VRBO.
The Castaway by the Sea will offer 20% off for the Winter Waters dates, for a maximum of three nights. Call 541-332-4502 and mention you’re coming to town for Winter Waters to book.
Sea Crest Motel will offer 10% off those dates. Call 541-698-1104 and mention you’re coming to town for Winter Waters to book.
The Cove at Port Orford will offer a third night free when you book two nights. Call 541-366-9525 and mention you’re coming to town for Winter Waters to book.
Thank you to Discover Port Orford, Main Street Port Orford, Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation, and Oregon’s Wild Rivers Coast, for sponsoring Winter Waters in Port Orford.
Learn more about Port Orford
About Us
Winter Waters is an Oregon-born initiative dedicated to promoting seaweed as a superfood culinary ingredient and enhancing local Oregon coast food systems. Our mission is to bridge the gap between consumers and sustainable seafood sources through education and shared meals.
Each February, Winter Waters collaborates with chefs and tastemakers to celebrate local seafood! The state of Oregon boasts some of the most sustainable fisheries in the world, yet much of the seafood produced is exported, and a significant portion of consumed seafood is imported (about 90%!). There is a disconnect between the people and the process and we’d like to help bridge this gap through education and delicious culinary experiences.