About the Festival

Producers

Olympic Peninsula Celebrations:

The mission of Olympic Peninsula Celebrations (OPC) is to preserve, protect, celebrate, and share the traditions and cultures of the Olympic Peninsula. Olympic Peninsula Celebrations is a Washington State non-profit corporation.

A portion of the proceeds of the Festival will be distributed to educate people about our local watersheds and habitats and toward other environmental issues that effect local aquiculture and agriculture.

Executive Producer Scott Nagel has been making a cultural impact on the Pacific Northwest for more than 25 years as a performer, producer, and manager.  He is currently the Executive Director for the Sequim Lavender Farmers Association and a consultant to the festival industry.  As Executive Director of Northwest Folklife for 16 years, Scott made the Northwest Folklife Festival one of the most acclaimed arts festivals in North America.  He is a consultant to the special events industry, ethnic communities, and the performing arts.

Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce: The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, which was originally started by the Chamber of Commerce, has become one of the premier happenings for Port Angeles.  The Festival is a prime example of a decision made by the chamber board in 2001 to use destination events to develop the local tourism product and act as an economic engine for the economy. Literally millions of dollars are brought to the Olympic Peninsula each year due to events and the Chamber board of directors is dedicated to continuing to develop this industry. We are delighted to join the festival again  to assist with the management of the event.

Crab Fest and the Community

Olympic Coast Cuisine

The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival has introduced Olympic Coast Cuisine. Olympic Coast Cuisine has been developing over the past several years with the infusion of very talented and experienced chefs into the region. These chefs are utilizing the cultural and food resources of the Olympic Peninsula in their food preparation and presentation. The Festival brings this unique concept to the public and provides local producers the opportunity to present Olympic Peninsula products to a broader consumer base.

Environmental Education

The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival will help visitors learn about the natural environment of the Olympic Peninsula and specifically about current issues in Clallam County. The Festival is partnering with local environmental educational organizations to provide educational activities designed to create a better understanding of the natural resources and issues facing the Olympic Peninsula.

Mission

Olympic Peninsula Celebrations is a Washington State nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving, protecting and sharing the traditions and cultures of the Olympic Peninsula through a wide range of educational programs, festivals, and special events.

Financial Proceeds

A portion of the proceeds of the Festival will be distributed to educate people about our local watersheds and habitats and toward other environmental issues that effect local aquiculture and agriculture.

Economic development and tourism organizations

Working very closely with the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau.

Besides dollars generated for lodging, food, and other services, the festival contributes to the economic development of Clallam County by providing sales and development opportunities for the local community specializing in seafood, agricultural, and related artistic products, and provides support for the movement to teach people about consuming and utilizing local products.

The Native American community

The festival's Native American program fosters appreciation for the heritage of the native peoples of the area and the many traditions that stem from the Northwest's cultural diversity.

Vendors and other business participants

From local restaurants and chefs to fishermen, artisans and lavender farmers, the festival helps build and sustain local businesses and cottage industries.

Environment/ecological organizations

Local organizations help visitors and locals learn about the ecology and natural history of the Olympic Peninsula. A portion of the festival's proceeds will be distributed to watershed education in the Dungeness River and Bay habitats and toward other environmental issues that effect local aquiculture and agriculture.

Peninsula College

The Peninsula College Athletic Department continues to build on its relationship with Port Angeles’ largest festival organizer, The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival. In this year’s Crabfest, set for Oct. 7-9, athletes representing the women’s basketball team will host the second annual Crabfest 5-K Fun Run/Walk, set for a Saturday morning start at Hollywood Beach, the men’s basketball team will clean crab for the hundreds, or thousands, of crab captured in the Crab Derby and the soccer teams will come in each night to clean Crab Central. The Athletic Department will also partner with the Port Angeles High School volleyball program to host the third annual Crabfest Beach Volleyball Tournament, set for Saturday and Sunday at Hollywood Beach. “A big part of our mission is to give back to the community and teach our athletes about community service,” said Director of Athletics Rick Ross. “The Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival is a first class organization. We enjoy working with them, it’s great visibility for our program and while many of our community activities are completely service based, this one is a bonus, because the Crabfest provides a generous fundraising component.

 

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