Skip to content

Seaside Stories

“Fascinated” on Broadway

July 15, 2012 | by Jon Rahl

The history of Seaside being one of the oldest seashore resorts – and the folks that have flocked to these ocean beaches – has been long documented. But one of the fun aspects about this North Oregon Coast resort town is what lies inside some of the walls and businesses that have been around for decades.
Consider the game of Fascination, housed in the Funland Arcade downtown. In Fascination, players have one or two rubber balls (similar in size to a racquetball) that they roll towards an area that contains 25 holes. Upon dropping through the hole, a backboard lights up in a pattern to the corresponding hole. The ball then rolls back to the player and the process is repeated until the particular game is completed (either by completing a bingo – five in a row – or a blackout – lighting up your entire board).
Seaside Fascination has approximately 40 tables and chairs that can be occupied at any given time. Points are awarded to single-game winners and those points can be turned in for a wide array of prizes.
Much like Seaside, the game of Fascination also has a long and storied history. It dates to the 1920s and popularity with oceanside resort towns that have boardwalks and amusement parks. Seaside’s parlor has been in place since the 1950s and is just one of a dozen remaining in the United States. Seaside Fascination is open throughout the week during the summer and weekends during the winter along Broadway.

Leave a Reply

and so much more!

Enjoying the Breaks in Weather

Seaside and Oregon Coast offer unique setting for the rising and setting of the sun.

Top Take-Out Spots in Seaside

Maybe you need a quick breakfast to fuel your day’s adventure? Or you’re hungry for dinner but too tired to venture out of you...

Everyone Needs a Spring Break

Any reason is a good reason to head to the Oregon Coast. Whether you have an official “spring break” or not, we think that yo...

Seeing Seaside on a Surrey

Cruising around Seaside on a Surrey can be great exercise and a scenic journey

Supersize Me!

A brief look at Seaside's past sweets and treats

How to Catch Your Dinner: Learning the joy of razor clamming in Seaside, Oregon

The way to dig for razor clams and what to do with them once you catch them in Seaside, Oregon...

The Sweet Side of Seaside

Above photo: A tray of sweets on display at A Sweet Affaire, held every February. In February, we invite you to bask in the sweet ...

“Gee, the Water’s Fine”

A trip to the beach is not only fun, it's good for your health!

Knights of Summer: Seaside’s Lifeguarding Tradition

Seaside has had a rich lifeguard tradition for almost 100 years.

Seaside: More Than Just a Resort Town

Seaside is also a community of hard-working professionals

The Scoop on Sea Star Gelato: Douglass and Tanya Lintow

No beach town is complete without an ice cream stand. There’s just something about a cool, creamy ice cream-topped cone that mak...

Discover Seaside’s Upper Broadway and Gilbert District

One of Seaside’s greatest delights is its walkable downtown. You can take a stroll from the ocean and Promenade all the way up B...

How to Build a Beach Campfire

It’s a longstanding Seaside tradition: listening to a crackling fire in concert with the crashing of the ocean waves. Campfires ...

Biking the N. Coast Mountain Range

Opportunities endless when hopping on two wheels to navigate Seaside area

MotorTrend Magazine – Epic Drives: Classic Cobra Visits Seaside

MotorTrend Magazine makes the trek to Seaside, Oregon to show off a Classic Cobra

Snail Mail: the Agony & the Ecstasy

Snail mail in Seaside circa 1909.

The Roaring Twenties on Broadway

The roaring twenties was an exciting era in Seaside.

Digging for the Bounty!

Razor clamming on Oregon