Fleet Of Flowers

Despite two local charter boat companies deciding not to participate in this year's event, the 80th annual Fleet of Flowes Memorial Day Ceremony in Depoe Bay is still happening. The charter companies stated their reason for not participating in this long standing event is due to complaints regarding Depoe Bay City government and policies surrounding the docks. The Fleet of Flowers event is a volunteer driven private event and is not run by the city. This is a memorial to remember those who have been lost at sea, it is not a political event.

Celebrated for the past 80 years the Fleet of Flowers was established in 1945. The event came to be to honor the memories of two fishermen, Roy Bower and John Chambers, who died at sea in an attempt to aid another fisherman.  It has since evolved to honor all seafarers and those lost at sea, and has many people in attendance every year from all over the state and beyond.

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According to the City of Depoe Bay the city has long supported this community event behind-the-scenes by providing services such as use of the Community Hall for wreath-making, including providing materials and supplies, and hauling away wreath-making debris, supplying the event stage, supplying electricity and water, assistance with setting up the sound system, and providing traffic control in the harbor parking lot on the day of the event.

The wreaths are loaded upon participating vessels and after the public ceremony, which starts at 11am, the wreaths are placed in the ocean just past the Deooe Bay bridge to honor those whose lives have been lost at sea.  The US Coast Guard is also a big part of this annual tradition with the helicopter dropping a wreath inside the circle of vessels. The fleet of flowers committee has added a free Celebration Concert starting at 4pm on Sunday May 25 with local musician Paul Schuytema opening for Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys taking place at the Depoe Bay Docks.