Finders Keepers: Glass Floats on the Beach! Oregon’s own family tradition

The windows rattle as the wind shrieks by and the rain pellets them. We are sitting in Mo’s Restaurant. The full large bay windows allow us to see out into the storm on three sides. Each view shows the storm hitting a different body of water. The wind whips the waves Siletz Bay out the southern window. The ocean waves kick up their skirts as the storm comes in. The lights flicker, the sound of waves pounding the rocks on the coast assault our ears, a strong fishy crabby salt smell makes us smile, as we know high tide is coming in with the storm and the best of the sea’s treasures are being dragged up from the depths of the ocean. Beach combing is an adventure filled with mystery. What will you find? The ocean gives up treasures to beachcombers who have the patience and luck to find them.
Unique driftwood, agates, shells, sea creatures, fishing boat equipment including the most highly valued Japanese glass fishing float. They range in shapes, colors and sizes from two and three feet in diameter to the more common blue or green float ball shaped float that is four to six inches. Japanese glass fishing floats are rare because fishing boats around the world now use modern materials like plastic or Styrofoam to float their nets. When the glass versions do appear, they are usually very old and have spent many years drifting in the Pacific Ocean.
A blown glass float is a rare find - except on the 7 ½ miles of beaches in Lincoln City, Oregon, where more than 2,000 of them are found each winter, a few placed on the beach each day the ocean permits it between October and Memorial Day, as part of Lincoln City’s yearly glass floats “Finders Keepers” event. The number of floats put out is reflected by the year - so 2006 in 2006, 2009 in 2009, etc... Lincoln City’s Millennium Float project, started by a local artist for 1999-2000, is a perfect combination of art and water. These brilliantly colored glass floats are signed and numbered.
You find it. You keep it! Tourist of all ages come from around the globe to search for their own float. A new tradition is born as families return year after year. When you find a float, register it by calling the Visitor Center. You will receive a Certificate of Authenticity, information about the artists that crafted your float. Other treasures might await you as some numbers are selected at random to receive additional prizes. While in the area you can visit local art galleries or watch the artist blow the glass floats or you can blow your own float. Unnumbered floats are sold locally in the area galleries.