The third annual Bellingham SeaFeast takes place Sept. 21-22, 2018 at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham, WA, as a celebration of the abundant waterfront and fishing heritage in Whatcom County. A new feature of the festival this year will be a big top tent offering SeaFeed at the Harbor—18 hours of serving world-class salmon and crab meals, plus other seafood offerings from noon – 8 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday.
SeaFeed at the Harbor, with premium quality salmon and crab at the fore, will offer the widest selection of renowned Pacific Northwest bounty imaginable. Serveries that include local restaurants and other vendors plan to have menus ranging from clam chowder to rockfish tacos, from oysters on the half-shell to ocean scallops, and much, much more.
Meal tickets will be available for purchase in advance online, and they’ll sell at the door to the Zuanich Point Parking Lot dining center. Visitors will see the big, white tent from afar, and the aroma will hook them big-time, especially the sizzle of salmon.
The two-day Bellingham SeaFeast celebration includes a variety of seafood and deep sea fishing themed activities. Opening activities begin with Lummi Canoe Families arriving at the new Waypoint Park beach and a Welcome Ceremony on Friday at 5 p.m. in Maritime Heritage Park, followed by a a musical presentation, an art gallery display, the Downtown Partnership Commercial Street Market, and of course the FisherPoets headlining at various venues in downtown Bellingham.
Taste the Sea is a unique tasting and interactive walk-through event at the Squalicum Boathouse, which sold out last year (32). It takes place in one-hour shifts at 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Capacity is 80 for each session. Tickets are $10 apiece ($5 ages 12-U) online at www.BellinghamSeaFeast.com. Any remaining tickets will sell at the door for $15 apiece ($8 ages 12-U).
On a limited basis, visitors can also purchase bites of salmon cooked by contestants (and vote on their favorites) in the 3rd annual Salmon BBQ Grilling Championships. For those who want to cook in the contest: three divisions are available, two of them for amateurs to form teams, with mega-dollar prizes. Find details, guidelines, and entry forms at www.BellinghamSeaFeast.com.
Competitions will also include the 3rd Annual Survival Suit Races. (Wriggle into a suit. Jump in. Swim like a maniac. Win the Golden Boot Award.), the 3rd Annual Oyster Shuck & Slurp, a Fish Toss, a Guess-the-Fish Species game, and “Walk the Plank” (Teams of two in fishermen’s work boots on the XtraTuf Stomp.)
A spectator favorite on Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard presents helicopter rescue at sea demonstration on Bellingham Bay. The event also includes harbor boat rides, tours, dock walks, martime arts and crafts, live bands, and a beer garden. General admission is free.
The waterfront has defined Bellingham from its very beginnings, and Bellingham SeaFeast represents every facet of the region’s seaborne charm. From tide-to-table you will experience why the ocean, the bay, and Salish Sea fish set Bellingham apart as a foodie destination.