Second Annual Morro Bay Harbor Festival

October 16, 1983

Check my math. If this 1983 Telegram-Tribune story is correct the second annual Morro Bay Harbor Festival was held that year.

Let’s get out the calculator…2009 – 1982 = 27.
So why do the posters for the Harbor Festival say this is the 28th annual?
Were there two festivals in one year?
The front page had photos of frogmen diving into the bay’s water and inside was a page of photos from the living chess match held in sight of Morro Rock.

Judging from the article (hundreds of people) and the photo the Harbor Festival has grown substantially from early beginnings.
The original article:

Pawns, not prawns highlight Morro fest

The battle lines were clearly drawn for all to see.

The rebellious White Army, led by the ferocious Warrior King Cassiodorus had regrouped after its last defeat in August. It was challenging the authority of the Black Army of Queen Dona, led by the legendary general Loal Davis.

In the shade of Morro Rock, the battle raged again Sunday. And the hundreds of people who gathered as part of Morro Bay’s 2nd annual Harbor Festival were not let down as soldiers fell in fierce combat.

In the end, the Black Army prevailed for the second time, fending off wave after wave of assaults from the White Army.

The epic battle was over, and King and Queen of the Black Kingdom were to reign over their provinces in peace once again–at least until the next challenge.

Tony Hertz made the photos.

This weekend the festival season continues with the Morro Bay Harbor Festival on Saturday and Sunday.

Related posts:

1. 1970 Harvest Festival
2. First San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival, 1971
3. Harvest Festival Parade
4. Morro Bay fishing
5. Morro Bay Power Plant built