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First up is the new Cheezeburger & Pirate Dice Classic Car Crooz-In on Friday. The next day is the 51st Annual Salmon Bake. And to wrap it up there's the second annual Sunday in the Park Wine & Music Festival.
McKim admits her work on the last one is just organizational; "I designed the posters, I did a lot of the advertising. Can I just sleep then?" But on Saturday she's the volunteer coordinator, "which means I get to do everything I can't find a volunteer for," she says. And on Friday, she's coordinating the first-time event. Not that she's waiting that long to kick things into gear.
"I just chased down a guy in 1950 Chevy Sedan," she said. Trying to convince the driver and his wife to bring the car to the Crooz-In, she laughs and says, "I chased him to the ground and he said, 'I have to work on my bulldozer that night.'
"I pointed to his wife said, 'Give her the keys.'"
For decades, the Saturday Salmon Bake has been the largest happening on Depoe Bay's fall event calendar. Attracted by 2,500 pounds of salmon slow-roasted in an 85-foot-long fire pit, thousands of people have been drawn to Depoe Bay City Park by the efforts of hundreds of volunteers.
It got even busier last year when community leaders added Sunday in the Park, which started as a wine and cheese party and ended as a jam session with all kinds of local musicians. This year's cheeseburger feed and car cruise should make it even crazier.
Which was exactly the idea.
"For many years now, the chamber of commerce has endeavored to find a way to utilize this huge tent that they pitch for something more than just Salmon Bake," said McKim, a co-owner of Aloha Taxi. "Last year, they held the first ever Sunday in the Park, and .... this year (the Depoe Bay Chamber of Commerce) asked us if we would like to host an event on Friday night so that the tent gets one more day of utilization, one more bang for the buck."
That was six weeks ago. Since then, they've mailed out 135 invitations to car clubs in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada and Northern California. As a first-year event competing with similar car-related events in Coos Bay and Tillamook, "We're the ones that show up at the dance after everyone's coupled up," she said. "We're crossing our fingers and watching the dreaded weather reports and hoping for the best."
Ever optimistic, McKim thinks the Crooz-In will take care of itself the same way Sunday in the Park did last year. Although 2005 was the first year for the event, people filled the park with music, with some even running home to grab their instruments. With the Rushings organizing the tunes this year, she's excited to call it the Second Annual Sunday in the Park, and figures they'll be doing the same with the Crooz-In next year.
Sitting in a coffee shop with just a few dozen hours to go before the weekend kicks off, McKim said the packed weekend should give people a reason to come - and stay - in Depoe Bay. Even better, she thinks they'll love what they see and come back for all the things the town has to offer every weekend. McKim, however, is pretty sure someone else can handle that.
"I only have to worry about these three events on this weekend, right?"
A weekend in Depoe Bay
All events are in Depoe Bay City Park, accessible by turning east at the Shell Station south of the bridge.
Friday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cheeseburgers and chips and other condiments for $6. Frozen tropical pie is $2
Saturday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Salmon, cole slaw, tartar sauce, garlic bread, lemon wedges, cookies and a drink for $13, $15 day of the event. Kids 12 and under are $7, $8 day of the event. The Johannaii Dancers will perform Navajo dances. Musical entertainment will be provided by "Roger & Lois."
Sunday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A commemorative glass, two glasses of wine, fruit, cheese, chocolate and all the left over salmon you can eat for $15. Extra wine is $2 per glass.
