"Seaside’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Labor Day Riots - 1963: Fort Seaside" With R.J. Marx

On Saturday, September 6th, 2025 the Seaside Library Friends and Foundation will welcome back R.J. Marx, who will be giving the second in a series of presentations titled, “Seaside’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Labor Day Riots – 1963: Fort Seaside.” The event will take place at 2:00 p.m. in the Community Room.


Seaside entered the new year of 1963 hoping to avoid a repeat of the 1962 Labor Day riots, which had brought national attention to our coastal city. No one wanted a repeat of the city’s 1962 Labor Day weekend, when crowds overwhelmed firefighters and police personnel. The city was calm Labor Day weekend until late Saturday. It was then that a massive gathering on the beach — many hoping to hear the hot new rock band Paul Revere and the Raiders — pulled down the lifeguard tower for the second straight year and dragged it over the Prom onto Broadway.


On Sunday, Aug. 31, mayhem continued, as thousands of young people descended on the city to challenge police and guardsmen. Even as officers blocked Broadway, kids gathered on side streets. The papers would later describe them as “wolf packs,” with assaults on police with eggs, bottles and stones. Police fought back with night sticks and axe handles. The fighting went on through the night. making a charge at the Pacific Power and Light building and threatening to knock out power. The battle between young people and police went on through the night, spilling into neighboring homes and yards. This is the story of those two unsettling, violent nights in Seaside.

You may also like the following events from Seaside Public Library:

• This Wednesday, 20th August, 05:30 pm, Board Game Night For Grown-ups!! in Seaside
• This Friday, 22nd August, 11:00 am, Friday Fun with Fountain Pens! in Seaside

Also check out other Music events in Seaside, Entertainment events in Seaside, Kids events & activities in Seaside.