By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES – If the cancellation of the Clallam County Fair and other large gatherings of the past year are still stinging, you’ll be happy to know that the Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival on the Port Angeles waterfront is coming back this October.
Executive Director Scott Nagel says most of what you’re used to seeing and doing the festival will still be in place when you get there, but they have had to make a few changes.
“Yes, we’ll have all the booths, you know, obviously everybody knows the crab festival’s outdoors and even the tent as well ventilated. So all the booths will be there, the Grab-a-Crab Derby, 15 food booths, and there are some things we had to cut back for line spacing, and such. We won’t be able to do the cooking demonstration stage this year, and not the pier stage, but we’re still have music in the tent every evening.”
Nagel says it’s unlikely that the Black Ball Ferry will be making trips back and forth to Canada by then, so that will probably cut into the amount of business vendors will do.
“So we’ll miss all the Canadians, but on the other hand, it’s going to reduce the crowding. So it’s sort of a ‘win some-lose some’ kind of situation. It will make it much better for the locals who show up.”
One effect Covid-19 is having on the festival is the price of crab this year. Nagel says crab fishermen have assured them they’ll have enough crab for the 3-day event, but organizer’s can’t guarantee the price of a crab meal this year unless you order yours in advance at the festival website.
The price this year is $39.76, which includes a whole crab, average weight 2 pounds, corn on the cob and cole slaw.
Nagel has one bit of advice for those who plan to attend.
“But one hint for everybody is, don’t all come between noon and 1:00. Come spread out throughout the day because it’s often not crowded at all.”
The Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival runs Friday, October 8 through Sunday the 10th and, as always, entrance to the festival is free.