Port Angeles Washington - The Authentic Northwest.

The Port Angeles Crab and Seafood Festival is honored to feature Sonny Sixkiller, the “game changing” quarterback for the University of Washington Huskies (from 1970-72).  Sonny was an iconic figure in the early 70’s as he not only led winning teams but also because of his groundbreaking work as an American Indian athlete.  Sonny currently works closely with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe in connecting community with tribal events and his presence at “CrabFest” marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with the Tribe and it’s commitment to the people of Clallam County.

Wearing Number 6 on his jersey, Sonny awed Northwest fans at the UofW and went on to co-star in The Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds.  He was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame in 1985 and the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.

Sonny will be at The Cedars of Dungeness food booth in the Gateway Center on Sunday October 9, from 11am-1pm.

This past weekend was a big weekend for Port Angeles. Saturday marked the official start of the removal of the two dams blocking the flow of the Elwha River, and the Sprint Boat races were held

at the new Extreme Sport Park where over 8,000 people enjoyed the perfect day of racing.

For more information about the Elwha Dam removal Click Here, For information about the Sprint Boat races Click here.

Webcams have been placed facing both the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dams, the
deltas at the southern ends of the Lake Aldwell and Lake Mills reservoirs,
and along the northern shore of each reservoir. While the primary purpose
of the webcams is to monitor the process of sediment movement, viewers will
be able to get a direct view of each dam as the removal process progresses.

This weeks start of dam removal and the ongoing restoration work on the
river has generated interest regionally, nationally and even
internationally. We think this is a unique and effective way to reach out
to people interested in the Elwha River and its restoration, said Olympic
National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin. Olympic National Park is
pleased to see these cameras go online this week. Please visit the page and
check back regularly to keep track of these exciting changes.

Removal of the 210-foot Glines Canyon Dam which will become the largest dam
removed in U.S. history begins September 15. Removal of the 108-foot Elwha
Dam begins September 17. Both are scheduled to be removed simultaneously
over the next three years.

For Elwha Dam removal web cams click here

Port Angeles, Wash., Sept. 12, 2011 – Get Ready… Here Come The Crab! Taste the bounty of the Olympic coast and savor the riches from our sparkling blue waters, magical forests, and organic farms at the 10th Annual Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 9 in Port Angeles. “Crabfest” is the annual celebration of our region’s diverse bounty - the seafood, agriculture and maritime traditions, and the breathtaking coastal environment that is home to the Dungeness Crab. The Festival takes place downtown at the Port Angeles City Pier, Gateway Center, and Red Lion Hotel overlooking the beautiful Strait of Juan de Fuca. Hours are 10am-8:30pm on Saturday and 9am-5pm on Sunday. Admission is free and the big top tent provides covered seating.

The American Bus Association has named the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2011, and last year Coastal Living Magazine named the festival one of the Top 10 Coastal Events for 2010. And -- how many events can say that they were a Jeopardy question? We were!

Presenting Sponsors of the Festival are: 7 Cedars Casino Properties, First Federal, Kenmore Air Express, and Westport Shipyard Inc. The Festival is produced by Olympic Peninsula Celebrations and the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce.

It’s All About Great Food and The Galloping Gourmet Is Coming!

In the 8,000 square foot Windermere Real Estate Crab Central food tent, visitors will find an old-fashioned “crab feed” complete with large kettles of fresh whole crabs ready to be served with Sunny Farms fresh corn and Nash’s organic cole slaw.  The crabs are caught in local waters – the freshest you can get! There is live music at the Jim’s Pharmacy Stage, and wine tasting provided by the Olympic Peninsula Wineries Association, plus Northwest beer and other beverages.

The First Federal Gateway Center is home to the Chef Demonstration Stage, featuring on-going cooking demonstrations by outstanding local and regional chefs.  This year we will have the iconic Graham Kerr, the Galloping Gourmet, one of the first television celebrity chefs. Kerr will not only cook for festival-goers, but will have his new book for purchase and signing.

At Crab Central and throughout the grounds on the pier and at the Gateway Center, the bounty of local and regional restaurants will provide visitors with great eating including: crab cakes, crab cocktails, fish tacos, crab enchiladas, crab Rangoon, clam chowder, crab bisque, seafood gumbo, fish & chips, gumbo, barbecue oysters, oyster shooters, steamed clams, oyster stew, mussels, grilled scallops, roasted corn and potatoes, desserts including chocolate bread pudding, sweets and savories, local homemade organic berry and  pumpkin pies, and more.  The bounty...and the flavors...are endless!

Crab Revival
New this year is the Crab Revival, Sunday morning from 9am-10:30am sponsored by the Cedars at Dungeness. The program will include a non-denominational service, gospel music from the Peninsula Men’s Gospel Singers and Abby Mae & The Homeschool Boys, and great food including crepes, crab quiche, traditional breakfast ,and beverages. Join us for a spiritual morning and a great start to Sunday.

Fun For Families!
“Get crabbing” during the High Tide Seafood and Wilder Auto Grab-A-Crab Tank Derby, Saturday from 10am-5pm, and Sunday from 10am-4pm! Located on the Port Angeles City Pier, the entire family can participate in this unorthodox derby by crabbing from large holding tanks using crab snares and bait.  The $5 entry fee allows participants to crab for 10 minutes, no license or gear needed.  Festival volunteers will be on hand to demonstrate how to catch, cook and clean the famous crustaceans. Purchase whole crabs to take home cooked or uncooked.

The Education Program brings together a full schedule of activities throughout the Festival. In addition to The Gateway Center Chef Demonstration Stage, City Pier will host environmental and marine exhibits in the education area. Stop by the Fiero Marina Life Center for a hands-on educational experience or to enjoy children’s activities.
Also on the Pier, peruse more than 60 craft and merchant booths, children’s activities and family friendly food vendors. Don’t miss the raptor demonstration and “ambassador birds” from the Northwest Raptor and Wildlife Center.

Athletics
The Peninsula College Athletic Department is a great Crabfest partner. Saturday and Sunday on Hollywood Beach is the Crab Volleyball Tournament supporting the volleyball program; Saturday is the Crabfest 5-K Fun Run/Walk with proceeds supporting the women’s basketball program. And when you get your Crab Derby crabs cleaned and packed to go, the men’s basketball team does the work and proceeds go to their travel fund. And every night the soccer team cleans Crab Central, a very important job.

Click here for the 2011 Crab Festival Brochure.

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 more information including transportation, accommodations, directions and the detailed program, please go to our website at www.crabfestival.org, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or phone 360-452-6300.