4th Annual Samish Bay Bivalve Bash

OYSTERS, CLAMS AND MUSSELS…OH MY! 4th ANNUAL SAMISH BAY BIVALVE BASH AND LOW TIDE MUD RUN SET FOR SATURDAY JULY 29. PROCEEDS SUPPORT COMMUNITY CLEAN WATER AWARENESS PROGRAMS.

BOW, WA: Taylor Shellfish Farms and the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance (SCEA) are pleased to announce the Fourth Annual Samish Bay Bivalve Bash and Low Tide Mud Run will be held 11:30 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday, July 29 at the Taylor Shellfish Farms’ Samish Bay shore side location off Chuckanut Drive in Bow, Washington. Proceeds from the homespun day of games and contests, food and beverage, entertainment and family activities support the community clean water awareness programs of SCEA. The public is cordially invited to join the fun. Bivalve Bash cover is $5 with kids six and under and Mud Runners admitted free.

The Samish Bay Bivalve Bash celebrates the cultural, biological and economic importance of shellfish grown in Samish Bay. “The idea is to have some summer fun on the beach while raising awareness of water quality issues,” says Taylor President Bill Taylor. “Shellfish are all about clean water.”

The popular, fun-to-watch 250 yard Low Tide Mud Run, yard for yard the Northwest’s toughest foot race, starts at low tide, 2:03 pm, with the 100 yard Kid’s Mud Run (ages 8-12) starting at 1:15 pm. If registered by July 24, the Mud Run Entry Fee is $10 with free entry for kids. The uniquely strenuous race, limited to the first 200 entrants, requires peak fitness. Runners stuck in the mud will be rescued before the incoming tide. “Everyone should attempt this race once…if only to learn a little something about what is inside them!” says Keefer Whan, 2003 Mud Run winner. For entry information and forms go to www.bivalvebash.com or call 425-501-0709.

Bivalve Bash activities kick off at 11:30 am with Mud Run registration, oyster shell sculptures on the beach, bivalve face painting, oyster shuffleboard, bivalve crafts and more. Food booths and the Beer Garden open at noon. The Kid’s Beach and Mr. Krabby’s Kid Pond will be open throughout the day. Crab races, which start at noon, take place every 30 minutes. Oyster shell sculpture judging is at 3:30 pm. Shells will fly when local shucking legends square off at the 2nd Annual Samish Bay Invitational Professional Oyster Shucking Championship at 6:30 pm. Contenders include Taylor Shellfish’s Gustavo Hernandez, defending Samish Bay champ and David Leck, Elliott’s Oyster House, winner of the 2006 Anthony’s Oyster Olympics restaurant shucking competition.

Shellacious Bivalve Bash fare includes oysters on the half shell by Taylor Shellfish, steamed clams by the Rhododendron Café, curried mussels by Xinh’s Clam and Oyster House in Shelton (one of Seattle Times restaurant critic, Nancy Leson’s, “Best Bites of 2005”), steamed Mediterranean mussels by the Oyster Creek Inn, BBQed Oysters by the Chuckanut Manor, BBQed salmon dinner by the Samish Nation, Caesar salad, hot dogs, corn-on-the-cob and Skagit Raspberry Shortcake by Anthony’s HomePort and Mike and Jean’s berries. The Beer Garden features local brews by La Conner Brewing Company and the Geyser Peak 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, a four time Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition “Oyster Award” winner. Non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased from the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group.

The Mt. Vernon High School cheerleaders will staff the shell craft table. Go Bulldogs! From the Kid’s Beach to crab races, hula hoops to oyster shuffleboard, shucking contests to silent auctions and more, the Bivalve Bash provides activities for all ages. Expect lines for mussel, clam, oyster and geoduck face paintings. One popular Bivalve Bash activity is sitting on the beach quietly enjoying one of Puget Sound’s most scenic vistas. For a complete list of festival activities, schedule of events and menu go to www.bivalvebash.com.

Boogie by the bay. Lively dancing music will be provided by The Splinters (2:30-5:00 pm) from Anacortes and The Atlantics (5:15-8:00 pm) from Bellingham. .