Astoria Heritage Square Block Party offers food, fun AND free limited edition “Stock in the Block” Certificates for attendees!

The City of Astoria invites all North Coast residents and visitors to become Honorary Astorians on Saturday, April 14to celebrate the groundbreaking for Astoria Heritage Square Phase 1, the Garden of Surging Waves. The groundbreaking Block Party is free and open to the public. “Heritage Square belongs to everyone” says Astoria Mayor Willis L.VanDusen, “and whoever comes to help us celebrate the beginning of this momentous project will get their very own piece of Astoria … and be part of history!” From 1 pm to 4 pm Astoria City staff will offer tours of the newly renovated City Hall. Family friendly activities will take place all afternoon. A special kid’s section will have a “bouncy house”. Popular local band “Ma Barley” will play dance music while Astoria Parks and Recreation staff flip burgers and hot dogs on an outdoor barbeque. Over 36 Astoria restaurants are donating “100 bites” from their establishments, in an outpouring of true community spirit. Van Dusen Beverages is donating all the Pepsi anyone can drink. In addition, Van Dusen Beverages will sample its new line of “1849 Gourmet Coffee”. Numbered collectible “Stock in the Block” Certificates will be given to the first 500 people to claim them at the groundbreaking event. Not only will they be redeemable for a “collectible piece of Astoria” but ten of these certificates will contain a golden seal for a valuable Astoriana treasure!

At the Bank of Astoria, Block Party participants can tell their own personal “Astoria story” which will be shared with the Clatsop County Historical Society. Mayor Van Dusen hopes “to have a real crowd come out and honor the Chinese heritage in Astoria, and take pride in the fact that the City is dedicating a precious piece of downtown Astoria for a public space which will be a source of beauty and inspiration for everyone, forever.” A special “Friend Raising” opportunity at the Bank of Astoria will showcase Garden of Surging Waves art and provide a rare opportunity to buy commemorative Heritage Block Bricks for a one-time only special price of $50 each to help complete Phase 1, the Garden of Surging Waves.

Mayor Van Dusen, State Senator Betsy Johnson, Heritage Square designer Suenn Hoof MulvannyG2 Architecture, the Astoria City Council and other special guests will be part of a short dedication/groundbreaking ceremony which will take place at 1:30 pm. After the program there will be “a special surprise” and Chinese Fireworks to commemorate the groundbreaking for Garden of Surging Waves. Rain or shine, tents, fire engines and street art will make for a festive atmosphere, and Eleventh Street between Duane and Exchange will be closed to cars. Astoria’s “Second Saturday Art Walk” takes place just after the Heritage Square event so the entire town becomes “one huge celebration” says Mayor Van Dusen. “The City of Astoria has shown wisdom and vision for the future in preserving this important space in the heart of our town. The Heritage Square project will be unique in the Northwest. It is of the same magnitude as our iconic Astoria Column, and it will provide a much needed gathering space for those of us who live here and for visitors to our town”.