Finders Keepers, an organization known for scattering glass floats along Lincoln City beaches, will be holding a special Restoration Pow-Wow drop Nov. 14-16.
Finders Keepers is an initiative sponsored by Lincoln City that began with the Millennium Float Project in 1999, where every year, thousands of glass floats are deposited along the 7 miles of beaches between Roads End and Siletz Bay.
The Finders Keepers “float fairies” scatter glass floats throughout the year, with special drop dates listed for the public on the Explore Lincoln City website.
The Restoration Pow-Wow drop coincides with the 48th annual Restoration Pow-Wow that takes place Nov. 15 at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City.
The event recognizes the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and celebrates Native American culture with traditional dancing and drumming, along with a variety of vendors.
The special drop will place 50 handmade glass floats along beaches. The special drop will be in addition to Finders Keepers’ year-round random drops.
What are glass floats?
Floats are hand-blown glass orbs created by local artists.
Inspiration for the floats was modeled after the multiple discoveries of “blown glass Japanese fishing floats,” according to the Finders Keepers website. People who admired the various blue and green orbs would collect and seek them out like treasure.
How can people find glass floats in Lincoln City?
Finders Keepers advises hunters to begin at public beach access points and stay conscious of the environment.
Individuals seeking a float don’t have to look too hard. Rather than being hidden, floats are carefully placed below beach embankments, but above the high tide line at random times during daylight hours.
Visitors would benefit from looking in areas without beach grass, as floats are purposely not placed in beach grass. Finders Keepers also notes that if the weather doesn’t permit seeking floats, they will provide notice.
What should you do if you find a glass float?
If someone finds a float, it is theirs to keep. There is a limit of one float per household per year.
Finders can call 541-996-1274 or go to the Finders Keepers registration page to register their new float and receive a certificate of authenticity and information about the artist who made it.
People can also register their float in person at the Lincoln City Welcome Center, 801 SW U.S. Highway 101, Lincoln City.
The registration number is located on or near the “button” underneath the float, according to Finders Keepers.
Individuals are also encouraged to share a photo to the Finders Keepers Facebook, Instagram or X pages with #FindersKeepersLC.
Does Lincoln City offer other opportunities to get a glass float?
Every month, there is a special drawing that gives individuals who are unable to find a float or who have physical disabilities that prevent them from looking a chance to receive a glass float.
Another way to enter the drawing is through “Trash for Treasures,” where people comb beaches to collect a bag of trash and then submit a photograph online with their name, email and mailing address. They can also take the photo into the Lincoln City Welcome Center.
Individuals with physical disabilities can enter the monthly float drawing by visiting the welcome center.
How many special drop dates remain in 2025?
These are the special drop dates remaining in 2025:
- The Restoration Pow-Wow drop of 50 floats between Nov. 14-16.
- The holiday drop of 50 floats between Dec. 12-14.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at@GinnieSandoval.
