Presented by R.J. Marx

Saturday, January 17, 2026 — 3:30 PM
North County Recreation District
36155 9th Street, Nehalem

$10 at the door
All proceeds benefit NVHS education programs.

The Nehalem Valley Historical Society invites you to a fascinating presentation by R.J. Marx, author of Seaside’s Rock ’n’ Roll Riots: 1962–1964 and former editor of the Seaside Signal and South County reporter for The Astorian.

The Riots That Shocked the Coast

On Labor Day weekend in 1962, thousands of young people gathered on the Seaside beach to hear a concert featuring Paul Revere and the Raiders. What began as a weekend of music quickly spiraled into chaos after a downtown fistfight ignited widespread unrest.

What followed was unprecedented on the Oregon Coast:

• Crowds — often referred to as “wolf packs” — assaulted police with eggs, bottles, and stones.

• The lifeguard tower was toppled.

• Police and firefighters fought back with nightsticks and axe handles.

• Storefront windows were smashed, cars were damaged, and violence spilled into surrounding neighborhoods.

• The situation drew national attention, including interest from the FBI.

The riot of 1962 became the catalyst for two more explosive Labor Day weekends in 1963 and 1964, forcing Portland police squads to assist local law enforcement. Fire hoses were deployed on the crowds — only to be “slashed to ribbons” by rioters wielding switchblades, according to reports from The Oregonian.

A Story That Defined an Era

These three years of unrest are chronicled in Marx’s compelling book, Seaside’s Rock ’n’ Roll Riots 1962–1964: How a Coastal City’s Labor Day Riots Heralded a Decade of Unrest. His presentation brings these dramatic events to life through firsthand reporting, historic records, and vivid storytelling.

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM
Location: North County Recreation District, 36155 9th Street, Nehalem
Admission: $10 at the door (supports NVHS education programs)

Join NVHS and R.J. Marx for an unforgettable look at one of the most unusual and explosive chapters in Oregon Coast history.