Wild Women of Charleston
From the table tops of Red’s Tavern to their wine & gift shop on Boat Basin Drive, the Wild Women of Charleston, OR. have mellowed through the years, but have not lost their sense of fun and jovial attitude.
Some say the original wild women fished during the day and danced the table tops of Red’s tavern by night. There are vague recollections of watery initiations in the bay with very little clothing.
Each decade told it’s own story and in the mid 90’s the Wild Women became a real group founded by Margery Whitmer, Mel Campbell and Earla Bradley over wine one summer afternoon. The idea evolved from a bit on a KBBR program in which she made up adventures of the mysterious women for on-air host Walt Larsen. We embellished on the radio, for fun and to let people know Charleston, Or’s a nifty place to come and enjoy the beauty and activities of a working fishing village.
To support their town of Charleston, the wild women sold T-shirts at the local visitor center, mud wrestled, held clam squirting contests, rain slicker and rubber boot fashion shows and organized not-So-Beautiful pageants and the “Best of the Worst” parade – encouraging people to enter their beat-up pickups, don their ugly bridesmaid dresses and show them off for the world to see!
Some of those adventures have simmered down as key members have gotten older, but they keep a “heart” for Charleston to support the local fishing and tourism industry.
Most recently the Wild Women of Charleston have opened a wine and gift shop. Now you can enjoy their fun logo on coffee mugs, wine glasses and their private label of Coos County wine!
It’s fun! The wine, red, wild black berry and cranberry is delicious! We are located at 63340 Boat Basin Dr., Charleston, OR. and can call us at 541 808-1654. Our wine & gift shop is open 10am to 4pm, Thursday through Monday!
You can become a member of the Wild Women of Charleston, OR! Membership fee is 27 cents annually for this loosely structured group! What could be better – belonging to a group that demands nothing and offers fun and good will to offset the stress of technology and life’s little bug-a-boo’s….
Hours: Thursday through Wednesday 11am to 4pm except Sunday Noon to 4pm.