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Newport's "Oregon Float Giveaway" Begins
October 18, 2007
(Newport, Oregon) – For years, visitors and residents along the Oregon coast would delight in finding Japanese glass float balls, having made their way across the ocean expanse to wash up on these beaches. It was a tradition until the last decade, when they started to fade from existence.
Now, Newport is helping to revive that sense of joy this winter as its merchants are giving away one-of-a-kind, original commemorative glass floats. No beachcombing is required to find one of these 200 luminous artisan collectibles, blown by Pyromania Glass Studios and engraved with the year 2008.
The rules for the Oregon Glass Float Giveaway are simple. Between Nov. 1, 2007, and Jan. 31, 2008, visit one of the businesses listed at www.newportchamber.org, or on a map available from the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce (800-262-7844). Fill out an entry form and return it to the float display at the business; enter at any – or all – of the merchants. Weekly drawings will be held throughout the winter, with the remainder of the floats given away Jan. 31, when each business will select two names from its entry pool. Winners will be notified by mail.
The 200 floats are now in production at Pyromania Glass Studios, Newport's original source for the vibrant keepsakes that have become synonymous with the Oregon coast. Visitors can watch the Schmitz family – Dennis and Patricia, and their daughter Andrea – in action from the gallery of their Aquarium Village studio in Newport's South Beach neighborhood. The ancient art of glass blowing is alive and well, just a stone's throw from the Oregon Coast Aquarium and other family attractions.
More than 60 businesses will be participating in the Oregon Glass Float Giveaway, ranging from restaurants, lodgings, attractions and galleries to retail shops of all kinds.
The Oregon Glass Float Giveaway promotion is designed to introduce Northwest travelers to the distinctive "value season" in Newport. This is a time of year when slower traffic, great sales at various kinds of businesses and fantastic lodging deals come together to create a unique time of year - especially for those looking to do some holiday shopping in a more relaxed environment. All that is also accompanied by the always-spectacular storm watch season.
"The float promotion was designed to bring people to the coast and yet not compete with Lincoln City's glass promotion," said Newport Tourism Development Director Lorna Davis. "People can sign up at one or all of the participating businesses for their chance to win one of two glass floats all, hand blown by Pyromania Glass Studio in South Beach. In some cases, you can win more, as businesses can have several."
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Newport, Oregon
The coast you remember.
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