Crabfest boasts best area seafood

The ninth annual Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival, "Crabfest," is Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 9-10, at the Port Angeles City Pier, Gateway Center and Red Lion Hotel in downtown Port Angeles.

Hours are 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

It includes large kettles of fresh whole crabs ready to be served with fresh corn and coleslaw, crab cakes, grilled wild salmon, fish tacos, crab enchiladas, crab Rangoon, clam chowder, crab bisque, seafood gumbo, Northwest paella, fish and chips, crab puppies, barbecue oysters, oyster shooters, steamed clams, oyster stew, mussels, grilled scallops, roasted corn and potatoes, oyster po’boy, baked goods including sweets and savories, local homemade organic berry and pumpkin pies, wine, beer and other beverages, and live music.

From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, families can use crab snares and bait to catch crabs from large holding tanks. The $5 entry fee allows 10 minutes of crabbing, no license or gear needed.

Volunteers demonstrate catching, cooking and cleaning. Whole crabs can be purchased to take home cooked or uncooked.

Also look for ongoing cooking demonstrations, environmental and marine exhibits, children’s activities, craft and merchant booths, a volleyball tournament and raptor demonstration.

The festival is produced by Olympic Peninsula Celebrations and the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Presenting sponsors are Westport Shipyards and the Elwha River Casino. Official sponsors are Black Ball Ferry Line, First Federal, High Tide Seafood, Jim’s Pharmacy, Olympic Restaurant Equipment Inc., Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, Peninsula Daily News, Red Lion, Wilder Auto and Windermere Real Estate.

A portion of the proceeds will go for watershed education in the Dungeness River and Dungeness Bay habitats and other environmental educational organizations.

For more information, including transportation, accommodations, directions and the detailed program, visit www.crabfestival.org, e-mail info@crab festival.org or phone 452-6300.