The Seaside Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for two big events of the summer season beach soccer and beach volleyball.

The annual beach soccer tournament will take place June 8 and 9. As many as 1,500 people are expected to participate, said Doug Barker, chamber event coordinator.

Thats Rose Festival time, a time thats pretty quiet, Barker said. (Participants and their families) are in the restaurants, theyre in the hotel rooms, theyre in the shops.

This year the chamber has limited the number of participating teams to100, an increase of 20 over the previous year. So far, it has signed up about 60 teams, but the majority of teams sign up at about this time, Barker said.

Well close it off June 5 or 100 teams, whichever comes first, Barker said. Were limiting the number of teams just so we can handle it.

The number of teams likely will increase in the future, he said.

Set-up for the tournament will begin the Friday before and include 17 courts, two more than last year.

One challenge facing Barker and the chambers staff is the ongoing search for referees; Barker said they are still looking for volunteers. It pays $15 per game and requires participants to take a test on the rules.

Interested individuals should contact the chamber, he added.

Registration is also open for the beach volleyball tournament, Aug. 9 through 11.

So far, the chamber has signed up 183 teams. Last year, the event hosted 1,296 teams and more than 2,500 players.

In the midst of the final weeks before beach soccer, Barker is already working with organizers to prepare for the beach volleyball tournament.

I have a meeting at 3 oclock with a guy for prizes, Barker said. I had a meeting about T-shirts and sweatshirts. I just emailed the tournament director for a conference call on Thursday.

Barker credits the yearly success of all the events, not just on the chambers employees, but on the community, which, he said, steps up to support them.

Were a chamber of commerce of three people, and we couldnt do it without volunteers, Barker said. Well have volunteer refs. Well have volunteers helping us set up Its all about volunteers, and its how this community steps up, its amazing.

For more information on both events or to sign up, visit www.SeasideChamber.com or call 503-738-6391.