Partner Story
Get the skinny on the two-day festival — along with ideas for enjoying Gold Beach.
The spirit of the Southern Oregon Coast shows up in a variety of creative — and occasionally unexpected — places around Gold Beach. At dinner you might taste the effort that local anglers put into catching local rockfish. After a hike or bike ride, you may savor craft beers perfected by dedicated brewers. Just before calling it a night, cotton-candy sunsets may fill the sky over quiet beaches.
It all comes together at the second-annual Legends Fest, taking place Sept. 26-27, 2025, at the Curry County Fairgrounds in the heart of Gold Beach. Across two thrilling days, the family-friendly festival celebrates the musicians, makers and artistry of the Southern Oregon Coast with live performances, local vendors and a bevy of exciting activities.
Start planning your trip — and see what’s new this year — with this guide to Legends Fest.
Catch Upbeat Live Music, Local Dancers, Storytelling and More
Talented musicians, dancers and storytellers from the Southern Oregon Coast will take the stage for two action-packed days of live performances.
One of many highlights is local wunderkind Jessie G, who grew up in Curry County and today makes a name for herself as a country star in Nashville. Other musicians and bands include Southern-rock outfit American Mile, the Ariel Jean Band and the country-rock-inspired Aaron Ball Band. In addition to a full lineup of seven bands, expect sets from numerous local acts — including the Mighty Steelheads, Ferguson Brothers and Sly & Co.
A variety of other acts will perform at the festival. Tribal dancers will honor the Southern Oregon Coast’s Indigenous roots with an opening-night performance. The next night includes storytelling and tall tales — all paying tribute to Curry County legend Hathaway Jones, who once claimed to be the “biggest liar in the country.”
Save Time for the Festival’s Attractions and Local Food Vendors
The Legends Fest fun doesn’t end at the stage. A number of family-friendly activities add to the festival’s charm — and offer entertainment for attendees of all ages.
A few highlights include axe-throwing lanes, a dunk tank, a rock-climbing wall, a cornhole tournament and bounce houses for little ones. The delightfully named Peppy’s Water Palooza, meanwhile, is an interactive splash zone geared toward children looking to cool off.
When you’re feeling peckish, grab a bite to eat at one of the festival’s local food vendors. La Casita de Oro will be on hand to sling tacos and other Mexican dishes, Groundlings Pizza Co. will sell its signature thin-crust pies and Gone Rogue Sandwiches & Sides will dish its namesake fare — lovingly crafted with smoked meats and served alongside stick-to-your-ribs macaroni and cheese. Arch Rock Brewing Co., meanwhile, has brewed its Legends Lager exclusively for the festival. As part of its commitment to be kind to the environment, the festival will feature compostable beverage containers and designated recycling bins.
Get to Know Gold Beach’s Sandy Shores, Creative Chefs and Craft Breweries
Away from the festival, you’ll find plenty of sunny beaches to enjoy — and local cuisine to savor — around Gold Beach.
Just north of Gold Beach proper, the 3-mile-long Bailey Beach provides plenty of space to relax with a book or enjoy a laid-back walk. For a faster-paced adventure, cruise the shore’s wet sands after renting a fat tire e-bike from local outfitter Adventure Gold Beach. Get more beach time at Kissing Rock Beach, where Hunter Creek empties into the Pacific Ocean. This pocket of coastline is home to a rock formation allegedly named for where local teens once went on romantic dates.
Just south of town, stretch your legs on the Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor, where a 3.8-mile (round-trip) hike descends from a wide-open bluff to a quiet beach at the foot of the Pacific Ocean.
Celebrate your adventures with fresh seafood and creative craft beer at local eateries. Get a taste of the Oregon Coast at Barnacle Bistro, whose crab cakes, fish and chips, and other seafood dishes are prepared with locally caught ingredients. Nearby, the long-running Arch Rock Brewing Co. recently expanded into a new tasting room where visitors can sample a crisp lager, a chocolaty porter, a citrus-tinged pale ale and other well-balanced beers.
If you’re staying the weekend, book your stay at the Wildflower Inn, whose five rooms are outfitted with comfortable beds, antique furniture and charming vintage touches. Just down the street, Pacific Reef Hotel offers cozy ocean-view rooms — and dazzles with short films and exciting light shows in an on-site amphitheater each evening. Both inns serve as idyllic gateways to the Rogue National Wild and Scenic River.
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