This weekend, we’ll see our traditional holiday rush on the North Coast. It’s a great time for our residents, who look forward to celebrating with family and friends. It’s also a great time for businesses that rely on tourist dollars. There are a lot of reasons to look forward to the upcoming holiday.

Unfortunately, not everyone loves everything about this particular holiday. Wildlife, pets and some veterans, to name a few. Also included in that number are those of us who must clean up our local beaches after the party is over. Although the beaches are the purview of the state, it has no system or staff designated for post-holiday cleanup.

Small cities like Gearhart don’t have the staffing or budget to adequately address the mess left behind on July 5 either. Gearhart relies on its fabulous volunteers to ensure the items typically left behind (garbage, charcoal, chairs and miscellaneous picnic supplies) don’t end up in the ocean.

I think I speak for many residents when I encourage everyone to have a safe, courteous and clean holiday. The free, legal firework shows in Astoria and Seaside are fabulous. If you decide to celebrate on our local beaches, please be mindful of the sensitive wildlife and clean up after yourself.

Gearhart volunteers will be on the beach on July 5 to do what we can to prevent debris from entering the ocean. If you’d like to help, please join us at 9 a.m. at the Gearhart 10th Street beach entrance.

DANA GOULD

Gearhart