Press Release – for immediate release
We’re back! The 20th Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival celebrates Olympic Coast Cuisine, Friday-Sunday October 8-10 on the Port Angeles waterfront. Fresh whole Dungeness Crab dinners, 14 restaurants, live music, beverages, 70 vendors, Grab-A-Crab Derby, and more. All outside or in tents. Advanced Discounted Crab Dinner tickets on sale now. Admission is free. www.crabfestival.org.
18th Annual Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival
Celebrating Olympic Coast Cuisine
October 11-13, 2019
Port Angeles, Wash., August 28, 2019 – After serving-up a record eight tons of fresh-caught Dungeness crab in 2018, one of the country’s most acclaimed seafood festivals is preparing for another “Crab Feastival!” The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival in Port Angeles, Washington celebrates not only the food, aquaculture, agriculture and maritime traditions of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, but Native American culture, art, music, and children’s activities in one spectacular three-day celebration.
The festival will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 11-13, at the Port Angeles City Pier and Red Lion Hotel in downtown Port Angeles. Most of the festival is under cover, so we welcome the fall on the Olympic Peninsula.
“CrabFest” has been named the Best Food Festival in Washington State by the Daily Meal, and one of the Top 100 Events by the American Bus Association. It has also been recognized by Coastal Living Magazine, GQ Magazine, Saveur and others as one of the top seafood festivals in North America.
The Freshest Dungeness Crab
More than eight tons of Dungeness crab pulled from local waters will be delivered to the plates of festival-goers. The only way to get it fresher is to go crabbing yourself! Whole Dungeness crab dinners will be served in the 17,000 square foot Crab Central tent along with fresh corn and cole slaw. Our crabs average two pounds so we make sure you get plenty of crab (along with your bib). Inside Crab Central you’ll find eight restaurant booths, adult beverages and live music! On the pier, you can buy cooked and cleaned Dungeness crab to go. We offer a “crab kit” so you can eat your crab on the pier or take home.
Food & Beverages
Throughout the grounds, 15 local and regional restaurants will serve an amazing array of seafood including crab cakes, Alaska scallops, halibut, paella, Taylor Shellfish and Jamestown oysters, seafood gumbo, clam chowder, fish and chips, fish tacos, calamari, crab Rangoon, crab mac & cheese, crab quiche, Uli’s sausages and non-seafood and vegetarian dishes, as well as local apple, blackberry and pumpkin pie for dessert.
New this year, you have to try the geoduck, a major seafood product of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, presented by Jamestown Seafood including geoduck ceviche, sashimi and chowder. Not to be outdone, Kokopelli Grill will be offering their new lobster corn dogs.
Olympic Peninsula Wineries will feature wines from nine regional wineries. Local and regional beers, hard ciders and other beverages will also be available.
The Fun!In addition to great food, there will be two live music stages, two live oyster bars, local beer and wine, a Chef Demonstration Stage featuring local and regional culinary talent, and our unique Grab-a-Crab Crab Derby for the entire family. Saturday activities will include a Welcoming Ceremony with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, a United States Coast Guard Air and Sea Rescue Demonstration, and a Peninsula College 5K Fun Run. A non-denominational “Crab Revival” musical service and the Captain Joseph House Foundation Chowder Cook-Off will take place on Sunday.
Presenting sponsors include Black Ball Ferry Line, Kitsap Bank, Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor. More than 40 sponsors and community organization make the Festival happen every year.
A Perfect Getaway
CrabFest is a seasonal highlight for Port Angeles, located at the Gateway to Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Center. The region is long known as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with a growing reputation for culinary adventure. During the fall, travelers can visit artisan wineries, take a county farm tour and savor local cuisine at a waterfront resort. The area’s diverse geography features glacially sculpted peaks and towering old growth forest, wild ocean beaches and lush estuaries enhanced by living tribal cultures, historic seaport towns, and rolling agricultural land.
Admission to the festival is free. For crab dinner tickets and more information, visit www.crabfestival.org. E-mail your questions to info@crabfestival.org, or phone 360-452-6300.
Contact: Scott Nagel, Executive Director
360-808-3940
director@crabfestival.org
# # #17th Annual Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival
Celebrating Olympic Coast Cuisine
October 5 – 7, 2018
Port Angeles, Wash., September 4, 2018, – After serving-up a record eight tons of fresh-caught Dungeness crab in 2017, one of the country’s most acclaimed seafood events is preparing for another “crabsational” year! The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival celebrates not only the aquaculture, agriculture and maritime traditions of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, but brings food, art, music, Native American culture and children’s activities into one spectacular three-day event for the whole family. Admission is free!This Pacific Northwest event will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 5 – 7, at the Port Angeles City Pier. Hours are: Friday 12pm-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 10am-5pm. After the great crowds we experienced in 2017 we’ve expanded our crew, purchased additional equipment, and expanded the Kitsap Bank Crab Central Pavilion, so it now totals over 17,000 sq ft, with more seating so we can serve all of our visitors.“CrabFest” has been named one of the Top 100 Events by the American Bus Association and has been recognized by Coastal Living Magazine, GQ Magazine, Saveur, and others as one of the top seafood festivals in North America. And we were even a question on Jeopardy!
The Food!
More than 8 tons of Dungeness crab is pulled from local waters each year, enabling festival-goers to savor the freshest crab available. Whole crab dinners are served in the Kitsap Bank Crab Central Pavilion along with fresh corn and cole slaw, with discounted pricing for active military members and spouses. Throughout the grounds, 16 local and regional restaurants will serve up everything from crab bisque to seafood gumbo and much more! Non-seafood and vegetarian dishes will also be available. All day Friday is the Peninsula Daily News Community Crab Dinner special with reduced prices on our signature whole crab dinners.
The Fun!In addition to great food, there will be two live music stages with more than 30 bands, two live oyster bars, local beer and wine, a Chef Demonstration Stage featuring local and regional culinary talent, and our unique Grab-a-Crab Derby for the entire family. Saturday activities will include a Welcoming Ceremony with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, a United States Coast Guard Air and Sea Rescue Demonstration, an Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association demonstration and a Peninsula College 5K Fun Run. A non-denominational “Crab Revival” and the Captain Joseph House Foundation Chowder Cook-Off will take place on Sunday.
The Art!
Don Dye is one of the many fine artists participating in the Festival with a booth on the pier. He also painted this year’s art, a great crab called “Louie.”
The Sponsors!
Presenting sponsors include Black Ball Ferry Line, Kitsap Bank, Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles. We have more than 40 sponsors throughout the community. For a complete list please go to our website.
A Perfect Getaway!
CrabFest is a seasonal highlight for Port Angeles, located at the Gateway to Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Center. The region is long known as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with a growing reputation for culinary adventure. During the fall, travelers can visit artisan wineries, take a county farm tour and savor local cuisine at a waterfront resort. The area’s diverse geography features glacially sculpted peaks and towering old growth forest, wild ocean beaches and lush estuaries enhanced by living tribal cultures, historic seaport towns, and rolling agricultural land. For more information go to Visitportangeles.com, and Olympicpeninsula.org.CrabFest Info!
Tickets and information at www.crabfestival.org. Email your questions to info@operations.org, or phone 360-452-6300.
We’re back! The 20th Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival celebrates Olympic Coast Cuisine, Friday-Sunday October 8-10 on the Port Angeles waterfront. Fresh whole Dungeness Crab dinners, 14 restaurants, live music, beverages, 70 vendors, Grab-A-Crab Derby, and more. All outside or in tents. Advanced Discounted Crab Dinner tickets on sale now. Admission is free. www.crabfestival.org.
18th Annual Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival
Celebrating Olympic Coast Cuisine
October 11-13, 2019
Port Angeles, Wash., August 28, 2019 – After serving-up a record eight tons of fresh-caught Dungeness crab in 2018, one of the country’s most acclaimed seafood festivals is preparing for another “Crab Feastival!” The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival in Port Angeles, Washington celebrates not only the food, aquaculture, agriculture and maritime traditions of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, but Native American culture, art, music, and children’s activities in one spectacular three-day celebration.
The festival will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 11-13, at the Port Angeles City Pier and Red Lion Hotel in downtown Port Angeles. Most of the festival is under cover, so we welcome the fall on the Olympic Peninsula.
“CrabFest” has been named the Best Food Festival in Washington State by the Daily Meal, and one of the Top 100 Events by the American Bus Association. It has also been recognized by Coastal Living Magazine, GQ Magazine, Saveur and others as one of the top seafood festivals in North America.
The Freshest Dungeness Crab
More than eight tons of Dungeness crab pulled from local waters will be delivered to the plates of festival-goers. The only way to get it fresher is to go crabbing yourself! Whole Dungeness crab dinners will be served in the 17,000 square foot Crab Central tent along with fresh corn and cole slaw. Our crabs average two pounds so we make sure you get plenty of crab (along with your bib). Inside Crab Central you’ll find eight restaurant booths, adult beverages and live music! On the pier, you can buy cooked and cleaned Dungeness crab to go. We offer a “crab kit” so you can eat your crab on the pier or take home.
Food & Beverages
Throughout the grounds, 15 local and regional restaurants will serve an amazing array of seafood including crab cakes, Alaska scallops, halibut, paella, Taylor Shellfish and Jamestown oysters, seafood gumbo, clam chowder, fish and chips, fish tacos, calamari, crab Rangoon, crab mac & cheese, crab quiche, Uli’s sausages and non-seafood and vegetarian dishes, as well as local apple, blackberry and pumpkin pie for dessert.
New this year, you have to try the geoduck, a major seafood product of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, presented by Jamestown Seafood including geoduck ceviche, sashimi and chowder. Not to be outdone, Kokopelli Grill will be offering their new lobster corn dogs.
Olympic Peninsula Wineries will feature wines from nine regional wineries. Local and regional beers, hard ciders and other beverages will also be available.
The Fun!
In addition to great food, there will be two live music stages, two live oyster bars, local beer and wine, a Chef Demonstration Stage featuring local and regional culinary talent, and our unique Grab-a-Crab Crab Derby for the entire family. Saturday activities will include a Welcoming Ceremony with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, a United States Coast Guard Air and Sea Rescue Demonstration, and a Peninsula College 5K Fun Run. A non-denominational “Crab Revival” musical service and the Captain Joseph House Foundation Chowder Cook-Off will take place on Sunday.
Presenting sponsors include Black Ball Ferry Line, Kitsap Bank, Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor. More than 40 sponsors and community organization make the Festival happen every year.
A Perfect Getaway
CrabFest is a seasonal highlight for Port Angeles, located at the Gateway to Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Center. The region is long known as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with a growing reputation for culinary adventure. During the fall, travelers can visit artisan wineries, take a county farm tour and savor local cuisine at a waterfront resort. The area’s diverse geography features glacially sculpted peaks and towering old growth forest, wild ocean beaches and lush estuaries enhanced by living tribal cultures, historic seaport towns, and rolling agricultural land.
Admission to the festival is free. For crab dinner tickets and more information, visit www.crabfestival.org. E-mail your questions to info@crabfestival.org, or phone 360-452-6300.
Contact: Scott Nagel, Executive Director
360-808-3940
director@crabfestival.org
# # #
Celebrating Olympic Coast Cuisine
October 5 – 7, 2018
Port Angeles, Wash., September 4, 2018, – After serving-up a record eight tons of fresh-caught Dungeness crab in 2017, one of the country’s most acclaimed seafood events is preparing for another “crabsational” year! The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival celebrates not only the aquaculture, agriculture and maritime traditions of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, but brings food, art, music, Native American culture and children’s activities into one spectacular three-day event for the whole family. Admission is free!This Pacific Northwest event will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 5 – 7, at the Port Angeles City Pier. Hours are: Friday 12pm-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 10am-5pm. After the great crowds we experienced in 2017 we’ve expanded our crew, purchased additional equipment, and expanded the Kitsap Bank Crab Central Pavilion, so it now totals over 17,000 sq ft, with more seating so we can serve all of our visitors.“CrabFest” has been named one of the Top 100 Events by the American Bus Association and has been recognized by Coastal Living Magazine, GQ Magazine, Saveur, and others as one of the top seafood festivals in North America. And we were even a question on Jeopardy!
The Food!
More than 8 tons of Dungeness crab is pulled from local waters each year, enabling festival-goers to savor the freshest crab available. Whole crab dinners are served in the Kitsap Bank Crab Central Pavilion along with fresh corn and cole slaw, with discounted pricing for active military members and spouses. Throughout the grounds, 16 local and regional restaurants will serve up everything from crab bisque to seafood gumbo and much more! Non-seafood and vegetarian dishes will also be available. All day Friday is the Peninsula Daily News Community Crab Dinner special with reduced prices on our signature whole crab dinners.
The Fun!
In addition to great food, there will be two live music stages with more than 30 bands, two live oyster bars, local beer and wine, a Chef Demonstration Stage featuring local and regional culinary talent, and our unique Grab-a-Crab Derby for the entire family. Saturday activities will include a Welcoming Ceremony with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, a United States Coast Guard Air and Sea Rescue Demonstration, an Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association demonstration and a Peninsula College 5K Fun Run. A non-denominational “Crab Revival” and the Captain Joseph House Foundation Chowder Cook-Off will take place on Sunday.
The Art!
Don Dye is one of the many fine artists participating in the Festival with a booth on the pier. He also painted this year’s art, a great crab called “Louie.”
The Sponsors!
Presenting sponsors include Black Ball Ferry Line, Kitsap Bank, Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles. We have more than 40 sponsors throughout the community. For a complete list please go to our website.
A Perfect Getaway!
CrabFest is a seasonal highlight for Port Angeles, located at the Gateway to Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Center. The region is long known as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with a growing reputation for culinary adventure. During the fall, travelers can visit artisan wineries, take a county farm tour and savor local cuisine at a waterfront resort. The area’s diverse geography features glacially sculpted peaks and towering old growth forest, wild ocean beaches and lush estuaries enhanced by living tribal cultures, historic seaport towns, and rolling agricultural land. For more information go to Visitportangeles.com, and Olympicpeninsula.org.
Tickets and information at www.crabfestival.org. Email your questions to info@operations.org, or phone 360-452-6300.
Port Angeles, Wash., June 29, 2017 – Kate McDermott will demonstrate the pie making prowess for which she is nationally acclaimed on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the 16th annual Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival in Port Angeles, one of the most renowned seafood festivals in the country. McDermott’s artisanal pie making technique emphasizes use of the senses and quality ingredients over precise measurements and polished skill to produce flaky, flavorful, sweet and savory pies. Her new cookbook, “Art of the Pie: A Practical Guide to Homemade Crusts, Fillings, and Life,” was nominated for a 2017 James Beard Award in Baking and Desserts.
Festival-goers can watch and learn from McDermott, ask questions and pick-up a signed copy of “Art of the Pie.” Her presentation will begin at 1 p.m. on the Chef Demonstration Stage in the Gateway Center. Admission to CrabFest, including McDermott’s demonstration, is free.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the craft of pie making at CrabFest, “says McDermott. “Pie making is about one thing . . . love! It’s wonderful that something so simple and humble can bring joy to so many.”
Though her interest in baking took hold when she was a girl, it wasn’t until 2005 that McDermott decided to get serious about pie making. For two years she studied pie crust, experimenting with different flours, fats, ratios and recipes until she hit upon just the right combination for her signature Art of the Pie® crust. This crust has received numerous accolades, and McDermott has been featured over the years in publications ranging from the New York Times to the Los Angeles Times, and from O Magazine to Food and Wine to USA Today, as well as in blogs and on TV and radio.
A self-taught pie maker, McDermott does not seek a perfect final product. For her, it’s more about the process, which she advises one to approach with “a warm heart and cool hands.” The flavor of the ingredients is important, as is the temperature and the consistency of the dough.
When preparing the pie filling, McDermott tastes her way through. She’ll start by adding just a bit of sugar to the fruit, increasing the amount until her palate tells her to stop. She does the same with spices. To gauge the correct amount of cooking time, she uses the ear she developed in her days as a musician rather than a timer to tell if the pie is done. “It’s the sizzle-whump,” she says, referring to the sizzle of the fruit through the pie’s vents and the “whump” of the filling as it hits the underside of the upper pie crust as the sounds of doneness.
In 2008, McDermott began teaching artisan pie making workshops in Seattle. She now leads the four-hour workshops, as well as weekend pie-making retreats, around the country; sharing her love of pie making with thousands of students. And that’s not all! McDermott is also known as ‘”The Piechiatrist®” and answers the burning questions of her followers on Facebook and via her website, Art of the Pie®. Need some pie therapy? Go to www.artofthepie.com.
About CrabFest
The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival is a grand celebration of the coveted crustacean that derives its name from the Olympic Peninsula town where it was first commercially harvested in 1848 — Dungeness. Sharing the aquaculture, agriculture and maritime traditions of the Olympic Peninsula, the festival brings food, art, music, Native American activities and children’s events into one spectacular experience for the whole family!
The signature Pacific Northwest event will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 6 – 8, at the Port Angeles City Pier. Hours are Friday, 12pm – 10pm; Saturday, 9:30am – 10pm; and Sunday, 9am – 5pm. Admission is free.
“CrabFest” has been named one of the Top 100 Events by the American Bus Association and has been recognized by Coastal Living Magazine, GQ Magazine, Saveur, and others as one of the top seafood festivals in North America.
Getting There
To get to CrabFest, visitors can drive Route 101 to Port Angeles, with options for multiple ferry connections. Those from Canada will find special packages on the Coho Ferry from Victoria, which docks right next to the festival!
For details, visit www.crabfestival.org, e-mail info@crabfestival.org, or phone 360-452-6300.
# # #
Volunteers Needed!
Each October foodies and fun-seekers from across the United States, British Columbia and beyond descend upon the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, Friday-Sunday, October 7-9. CrabFest needs more than 150 volunteers and staff to take care of our guests. There is nothing more satisfying than helping the thousands of visitors from around the world have a great time at the Festival and in Port Angeles.
There are a wide range of volunteer positions available including:
- Crab Feed Assistants: Assisting diners (table clean up, provide information).
- Information/Merchandise Booth: Provide information, sell sportswear to our visitors.
- Greeters: Welcome visitors and hand out programs at the main entrances of the tent and help with line management, give information and watch that no alcohol leaves the tent.
- Crab Feed Line Control: Chat with folks in line for the crab feed and help maintain control.
- Crab Derby: Registration, take money & provide information.
- Crab Sales: Crab Derby booth, take money and wrap crabs to-go
Volunteers receive a spiffy CRAB CREW t-shirt, and anyone who works two or more shifts during the weekend, receives a certificate for a free 1/2 crab dinner ($15 value), and the thanks of the community.
Annual Drawing: For each 4 hour shift worked, volunteers will get a chance in our Volunteer Drawing for prizes including 2 walk-on passes on the Coho Ferry. Refer a friend to volunteer and you both get an extra chance.
There is a Volunteer Training Meeting, Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 6:00pm in the Kitsap Bank Crab Central Tent (big tent in the Red Lion parking lot).
Full job descriptions and other information is available and Volunteers can register online atwww.crabfestival.org/volunteers, at the volunteer meeting, or at the Festival.
To contact our Volunteer Director, Kelly Jo Hill, by email, send to:
crabfestivalvolunteer@gmail.com.
For questions call 360.461.3950 or the Festival office at 360-452-6300.
The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival is produced by Olympic Peninsula Celebrations, a Washington State nonprofit corporation. For details, including transportation, accommodations, directions and the full program, please visit our website at www.crabfestival.org, e-mailinfo@crabfestival.org, or phone 360-452-6300.
Save a Turkey – Eat a Crab!
Our Canadian neighbors just on the other side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca observe Thanksgiving at the same time as the 15th Annual Dungeness Crab & Seafood Fest (October 7-9, 2016)
Crabby welcomes thousand’s who celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving by Saving a Turkey – Eating Crab! The Coho has special ticket and dinner packages from Victoria!
Enjoy this Coho Black Ball Ferry video!
Video Player
Chowder Cook-Off to Benefit Captain Joseph House at the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival Graham Kerr to Judge Awards
Chowder lovers rejoice! Are you an amazing chowder cook at home? Do you feature one-of-a-kind chowder at your restaurant? If so, you’ll want to try your hand at this year’s Chowder Cook-Off! Chef Graham Kerr, “The Galloping Gourmet”, will be featured as our guest judge at the 4th Annual Captain Joseph House Chowder Cook-Off on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival on the Port Angeles waterfront.
If you love cooking chowder, now is the time to pull your team together and prove why your chowder is the best! And Chef Kerr won’t be the only judge…festival goers will also pick their favorite chowder.
Entry fees for professional cooks are $45 for the first entry and $22.50 for each additional entry. Amateur cooks pay $20 for the first entry and $10 for each additional entry. The chowder recipe may be seafood, a combination of seafood and other ingredients, or vegetarian. Applications and fees must be submitted by September 16, 2016.
The Chowder Cook-Off takes place from 10:00am – 2:00pm at the Gateway Transit Center. Beginning at 10:00am, visitors can watch the chefs cooking, and may taste chowders from both amateur and professional cooks beginning at noon. Unlimited tickets for tastes of chowder (5 tastes for $10) may be purchased. Each $10.00 ticket includes one vote in the People’s Choice Award. The more tickets you buy, the more chowder you get to sample and the more votes you have! Chef Kerr will judge chowders at 12:30pm and present the awards at 2:00pm. All proceeds benefit Captain Joseph House, honoring our Fallen Heroes and their Gold Star Veteran Families.
Chef Kerr will be available for book signing from 11:00am -–12:00pm and “Stories with Graham” will begin at 1:00pm.
.Buck Ellard is joining us again with his traditional and original country music.
For more information and application materials, visit www.captainjosephhousefoundation.orgor www.crabfestival.org or call Tawana Borden at (360) 683-3408 or Sam Coyle at (360) 460-4079.
The Captain Joseph House Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation located at 1108 S. Oak Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362. www.captainjosephhousefoundation.org Phone: (360) 460-7848
Contributions, gifts and bequests are tax deductible.
The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival is produced by Olympic Peninsula Celebrations, a Washington State nonprofit corporation, and the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the Festival, visit www.crabfestival.org , e-mailinfo@crabfestival.org , or phone (360) 452-6300.
Volunteering at CrabFest is a great way to enjoy all the event has to offer. You get a snazzy CRAB CREW shirt, these aren’t for sale, they can only be earned. You get to meet people from all. You get to listen to great music if you volunteer in the main tent and if you volunteer two, 4 hr shifts during the 3 day event…YOU GET FREE CRAB! For each 8 hrs you volunteer you earn a 1/2 crab dinner with fresh corn and coleslaw.
There are openings for everyone, I can find a place that fits your comfort level from helping set up to pouring beer & wine. The online application link is on the home page.
I’m lookin forward to hearing from you soon,
15th Annual Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival Come for the Food, Stay for the Fun! October 7 – 9
Celebrating the Olympic Peninsula’s aquaculture, agriculture and maritime traditions
Each October foodies and fun-seekers from across the United States, British Columbia andbeyond descend upon the scenic Olympic Peninsula to partake in a grand celebration of the coveted crustacean that derives its name from the town where it was first commercially harvested in 1848 — Dungeness.
The 15th annual Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 7 – 9, at the Port Angeles City Pier. Hours are Friday, 12pm – 10pm; Saturday, 9am – 10pm; and Sunday, 9am – 5pm. Admission is free.
“CrabFest” as the festival has come to be known, has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association, and as one of the Top 10 Coastal Events by Coastal Living magazine. It was also featured in national food magazine Saveur, and has come in second place at the KING 5 Evening Magazine poll for Best Food Festival.
The Food! It’s all about great food and fresh crab! Thousands of pounds of Dungeness crab are pulled from local waters each year, enabling festival-goers to savor the freshest crab available while also enjoying a wide variety of locally grown and produced foods. The 9,000 square foot Kitsap Bank Crab Central Tent will house an old-fashioned crab-feed complete with large whole crabs, fresh corn and cole slaw. At Crab Central and throughout the grounds, 14 local and regional restaurants will serve-up everything from crab cakes to gumbo and much more! The Taylor Shellfish Farms Raw Oyster Bar is not to be missed! Non-seafood and vegetarian dishes will also be available.
The Fun! Held annually on the second weekend in October, Crabfest is a signature culinary event around which to plan a fall getaway weekend – or longer. In addition to great food, there’s live music throughout the event; a Chef Demonstration Stage featuring ongoing cooking demonstrations by a line-up of outstanding local and regional chefs; a Sunday morning non-denominational “Crab Revival” with gospel music performed by local artists; a Sunday Chowder Cook-Off sponsored by the Captain Joseph House Foundation; the Grab-A-Crab Tank Derby; and more than 70 vendor booths with juried crafts and information provided by environmental organizations.
Master Chef Graham Kerr, the former Galloping Gourmet, to judge Chowder Cook-Off The festival is pleased to once again welcome Graham Kerr, the Master Chef known to millions around the world as the Galloping Gourmet. Kerr will appear at the Gateway Pavilion just across the street from the Crab Central Tent from noon to 2pm on Sunday, where he will speak, sign copies of his books and preside as judge of the annual Chowder Cook-Off.
A Seasonal Highlight Along the Olympic Culinary Loop The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival is a seasonal highlight for Port Angeles, a city located 15 miles west of Dungeness, in a region long known as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Nestled between the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains, PA has enjoyed its share of the limelight. Designated one of the 2015 Top 100 Best Small Towns by Livability.com, and one of the 20 Coolest Towns in the U.S. by the Matador Network, Port Angeles went head-to-head with Chatanooga, Tenn. in Outside Magazine’s 2015 “Best Town Ever” contest, coming in a close second by a slim margin of public votes.
The Olympic Peninsula has a growing a reputation for culinary adventure. Winding through four Olympic Peninsula counties encompassing diverse microclimates, the Olympic Culinary Loop is alive with farms, produce stands, fisheries, creameries, bakeries, wineries, cideries, farm-to-table experiences and authentic culinary events, all within reach of Hwy. 101, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. The byway showcases the region’s diverse geography, from glacially sculpted peaks and towering old growth forest in Olympic National Park, to sea stacks along the wild ocean beaches and lush estuaries. The scenic natural beauty is enhanced by living tribal cultures, historic seaport towns, and rolling agricultural land.
During the fall, culinary travelers can visit artisan wineries, take a county farm tour, pick wild mushrooms, savor a farm dinner at a local waterfront resort, and of course, enjoy all the fresh crab they can eat at Crabfest! The Culinary Loop route is designed to put visitors in touch with the people who grow, harvest, catch and serve fresh Olympic Coast Cuisine, offering up a true sense of place.
Set against a backdrop of vibrant fall foliage, the snowcapped Olympic Mountains and coastal waters, the Olympic Peninsula is the perfect place to savor the season! Bring your hiking boots, kayak, mountain or road bike and get out there – you’ll want to work up an appetite!
More About Crabfest
Getting There To get to Crabfest, visitors can drive Route 101 to Port Angeles, with options for multiple ferry connections. Those from Canada will find special packages on the Coho Ferryfrom Victoria, which docks right next to the festival!
Sponsors There would be no Crabfest without the support of our more than 40 sponsors. Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsors: Black Ball Ferry Line – Kitsap Bank – Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles – Peninsula Daily News.
The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival is produced by Olympic Peninsula Celebrations, a Washington State non-profit corporation, and the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce.
For details including transportation, accommodations, directions and the full program, please visit our website at www.crabfestival.org, e-mail info@crabfestival.org, or phone 360-452-6300.
###
How Many Ways Can One Enjoy Fresh Crab? – Come to Crabfest and find out!
Port Angeles, Wash., Sept. 23, 2015 – You may have heard stories from crab-lovers who eagerly return to Port Angeles each October for the city’s signature Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival about the freshest crab you can eat, thousands of pounds of it, pulled straight from local waters, steamed and served alongside locally-grown organic coleslaw and corn on the cob. While the traditional crab feed has long been the festival’s culinary anchor, it is but one taste of this celebrated local crustacean. How many ways can one enjoy the freshest Dungeness crab around? Come to Crabfest and find out!
Fourteen restaurants co-located under the Crab Central Pavilion Big Top Tent, on City Pier and across the street at the Gateway Center will showcase a plethora of crab-centric dishes spanning the culinary gamut from comfort food to “crustacean sophistication” this year. In addition, a full line-up of Northwest culinary talent will demonstrate and sample their own unique creations starring the Dungeness crab. Not a crab lover? Do you skew vegetarian? No worries! Crabfest has got you covered with everything from fresh Caesar Salad to Tomato Bisque to hamburgers and fries, not to mention many other fresh seafood dishes!
Download full press release – PR The Food at CrabFest
Bigger & Better than Ever!
Expanded Time & Space, Marine Debris Art on the Beach and appearance by White House Chef John Moeller Raise the Bar for Northwest’s Signature Culinary Event Port Angeles, Wash., Oct. 2, 2014 – Each October for the past 13 years, the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival has compelled thousands of culinary enthusiasts from across the U.S. and abroad to journey to the Olympic Peninsula town of Port Angeles to indulge in the freshest crab available — and to experience some authentic Northwest fun! To better serve its ever-growing number of visitors, “Crabfest” will expand to a three-day format this year, Oct. 10 – 12, with an enlarged (11,000 square foot) Crab Central Pavilion where crab-lovers can eat their fill from 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Download press release: PR- Final PR
Port Angeles, Wash., Sept. 18, 2014 – The American Bus Association (ABA), representing approximately 1,000 motorcoach and tour companies in the United States and Canada, this month designated Port Angeles’ Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2015. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations magazine, indicates that “Crabfest” offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world, according to ABA. Held annually on the second weekend in October, this year’s festival will take place Friday, Oct. 10 – Sunday, Oct. 12 on the Port Angeles City Pier. The Crab Festival was the only Washington State event selected for this great honor.
Download press release: PR-Crab Festival Bus Association Award
Port Angeles, Wash., August 1, 2014 – Each October foodies, hikers, naturalists and fun-seekers from across the U. S. and around the world…as far away as Finland…descend upon the scenic Olympic Peninsula to partake in a grand celebration of the coveted crustacean that derives its name from the town where it was first commercially harvested back in 1848 — Dungeness.
The 13th annual Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival will expand to a three-day format this year, taking place Friday – Sunday, October 10 – 12, at the Port Angeles City Pier. Hours are Friday, 12:30pm – 10pm; Saturday, 10am – 10pm; and Sunday, 10am – 5pm. Admission is free.
Download press release PR – Crab Festival – August 2014
Port Angeles, Wash., August 2, 2014 – A truly one-of-a-kind arts event will be featured at the Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival this year…local artists will take the ever-burgeoning amount of marine debris in our oceans and rivers and bring it to festival-goers for three days of thought-provoking, fascinating, and unusual artistic statements.
The Marine Debris Art Project—from Trash to Treasures, led by artists Sarah Tucker and Jennifer Bright, who feature not only their own depth of art and experience but also the work of four local artists who will share their work during the Festival, Friday October 10-Sunday October 12 on the waterfront in Port Angeles.
Each work of art will not only be available for all to see, but also to choose which piece moved you the most, or caught your imagination and eye…YOU will help us choose the Marine Debris Art Project artist for 2014.
Download press release PR – CrabFest Marine Debris
Port Angeles, WA August 2, 2014 – Chowder lovers rejoice!! Are you an amazing chowder cook at home? Do you feature one-of-a-kind chowder at your restaurant? You will want to try your hand at chowder as Chef Bill Ranniger, Corporate Executive Chef of Dukes Chowder Houses has agreed to our guest judge at the 2014 Captain Joseph House Chowder Cook-Off, Sunday October 12 at the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival.
Chef “Bill,” who along with owner and founder Duke Moscrip has worked to make chowder a signature dish at their 6 restaurants in the Puget Sound area…and have they succeeded! Bill is coming not only to cook and demonstrate at the 13th annual “Crabfest” but will join us Sunday to taste and judge the best of our chowder cooks.
Prizes, bragging rights, and a title in your chef’s hat! If you love cooking chowder, organize a team and show everyone why your chowder is the best! Now is the time to pull your cooking team together…both professional and amateurs…because this year will step-up the attention and prestige of winning at the 2014 Captain Joseph Chowder Cook-Off and receive the Grand Prize. But Chef Bill won’t be the only judge…festival goers will also pick a favorite chowder.
Download press release PR- 2014 Chowder Cook-off Press Release
We’re back! The 20th Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival celebrates Olympic Coast Cuisine, Friday-Sunday October 8-10 on the Port Angeles waterfront. Fresh whole Dungeness Crab dinners, 14 restaurants, live music, beverages, 70 vendors, Grab-A-Crab Derby, and more. All outside or in tents. Advanced Discounted Crab Dinner tickets on sale now. Admission is free. www.crabfestival.org.
18th Annual Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival
Celebrating Olympic Coast Cuisine
October 11-13, 2019
Port Angeles, Wash., August 28, 2019 – After serving-up a record eight tons of fresh-caught Dungeness crab in 2018, one of the country’s most acclaimed seafood festivals is preparing for another “Crab Feastival!” The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival in Port Angeles, Washington celebrates not only the food, aquaculture, agriculture and maritime traditions of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, but Native American culture, art, music, and children’s activities in one spectacular three-day celebration.
The festival will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 11-13, at the Port Angeles City Pier and Red Lion Hotel in downtown Port Angeles. Most of the festival is under cover, so we welcome the fall on the Olympic Peninsula.
“CrabFest” has been named the Best Food Festival in Washington State by the Daily Meal, and one of the Top 100 Events by the American Bus Association. It has also been recognized by Coastal Living Magazine, GQ Magazine, Saveur and others as one of the top seafood festivals in North America.
The Freshest Dungeness Crab
More than eight tons of Dungeness crab pulled from local waters will be delivered to the plates of festival-goers. The only way to get it fresher is to go crabbing yourself! Whole Dungeness crab dinners will be served in the 17,000 square foot Crab Central tent along with fresh corn and cole slaw. Our crabs average two pounds so we make sure you get plenty of crab (along with your bib). Inside Crab Central you’ll find eight restaurant booths, adult beverages and live music! On the pier, you can buy cooked and cleaned Dungeness crab to go. We offer a “crab kit” so you can eat your crab on the pier or take home.
Food & Beverages
Throughout the grounds, 15 local and regional restaurants will serve an amazing array of seafood including crab cakes, Alaska scallops, halibut, paella, Taylor Shellfish and Jamestown oysters, seafood gumbo, clam chowder, fish and chips, fish tacos, calamari, crab Rangoon, crab mac & cheese, crab quiche, Uli’s sausages and non-seafood and vegetarian dishes, as well as local apple, blackberry and pumpkin pie for dessert.
New this year, you have to try the geoduck, a major seafood product of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, presented by Jamestown Seafood including geoduck ceviche, sashimi and chowder. Not to be outdone, Kokopelli Grill will be offering their new lobster corn dogs.
Olympic Peninsula Wineries will feature wines from nine regional wineries. Local and regional beers, hard ciders and other beverages will also be available.
The Fun!
In addition to great food, there will be two live music stages, two live oyster bars, local beer and wine, a Chef Demonstration Stage featuring local and regional culinary talent, and our unique Grab-a-Crab Crab Derby for the entire family. Saturday activities will include a Welcoming Ceremony with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, a United States Coast Guard Air and Sea Rescue Demonstration, and a Peninsula College 5K Fun Run. A non-denominational “Crab Revival” musical service and the Captain Joseph House Foundation Chowder Cook-Off will take place on Sunday.
Presenting sponsors include Black Ball Ferry Line, Kitsap Bank, Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor. More than 40 sponsors and community organization make the Festival happen every year.
A Perfect Getaway
CrabFest is a seasonal highlight for Port Angeles, located at the Gateway to Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Center. The region is long known as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with a growing reputation for culinary adventure. During the fall, travelers can visit artisan wineries, take a county farm tour and savor local cuisine at a waterfront resort. The area’s diverse geography features glacially sculpted peaks and towering old growth forest, wild ocean beaches and lush estuaries enhanced by living tribal cultures, historic seaport towns, and rolling agricultural land.
Admission to the festival is free. For crab dinner tickets and more information, visit www.crabfestival.org. E-mail your questions to info@crabfestival.org, or phone 360-452-6300.
Contact: Scott Nagel, Executive Director
360-808-3940
director@crabfestival.org
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Celebrating Olympic Coast Cuisine
October 5 – 7, 2018
Port Angeles, Wash., September 4, 2018, – After serving-up a record eight tons of fresh-caught Dungeness crab in 2017, one of the country’s most acclaimed seafood events is preparing for another “crabsational” year! The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival celebrates not only the aquaculture, agriculture and maritime traditions of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, but brings food, art, music, Native American culture and children’s activities into one spectacular three-day event for the whole family. Admission is free!This Pacific Northwest event will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 5 – 7, at the Port Angeles City Pier. Hours are: Friday 12pm-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 10am-5pm. After the great crowds we experienced in 2017 we’ve expanded our crew, purchased additional equipment, and expanded the Kitsap Bank Crab Central Pavilion, so it now totals over 17,000 sq ft, with more seating so we can serve all of our visitors.“CrabFest” has been named one of the Top 100 Events by the American Bus Association and has been recognized by Coastal Living Magazine, GQ Magazine, Saveur, and others as one of the top seafood festivals in North America. And we were even a question on Jeopardy!
The Food!
More than 8 tons of Dungeness crab is pulled from local waters each year, enabling festival-goers to savor the freshest crab available. Whole crab dinners are served in the Kitsap Bank Crab Central Pavilion along with fresh corn and cole slaw, with discounted pricing for active military members and spouses. Throughout the grounds, 16 local and regional restaurants will serve up everything from crab bisque to seafood gumbo and much more! Non-seafood and vegetarian dishes will also be available. All day Friday is the Peninsula Daily News Community Crab Dinner special with reduced prices on our signature whole crab dinners.
The Fun!
In addition to great food, there will be two live music stages with more than 30 bands, two live oyster bars, local beer and wine, a Chef Demonstration Stage featuring local and regional culinary talent, and our unique Grab-a-Crab Derby for the entire family. Saturday activities will include a Welcoming Ceremony with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, a United States Coast Guard Air and Sea Rescue Demonstration, an Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association demonstration and a Peninsula College 5K Fun Run. A non-denominational “Crab Revival” and the Captain Joseph House Foundation Chowder Cook-Off will take place on Sunday.
The Art!
Don Dye is one of the many fine artists participating in the Festival with a booth on the pier. He also painted this year’s art, a great crab called “Louie.”
The Sponsors!
Presenting sponsors include Black Ball Ferry Line, Kitsap Bank, Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles. We have more than 40 sponsors throughout the community. For a complete list please go to our website.
A Perfect Getaway!
CrabFest is a seasonal highlight for Port Angeles, located at the Gateway to Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Center. The region is long known as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with a growing reputation for culinary adventure. During the fall, travelers can visit artisan wineries, take a county farm tour and savor local cuisine at a waterfront resort. The area’s diverse geography features glacially sculpted peaks and towering old growth forest, wild ocean beaches and lush estuaries enhanced by living tribal cultures, historic seaport towns, and rolling agricultural land. For more information go to Visitportangeles.com, and Olympicpeninsula.org.
Tickets and information at www.crabfestival.org. Email your questions to info@operations.org, or phone 360-452-6300.
