Eat 'Em to Help Save 'Em: Taylor Shellfish Bivalve Bash July 16

Oysters on the beach. Photo Credit:Jon Rowley

Who knew conservation could be so tasty?

Eat some oysters to help save the bay July 16 at the 9th annual Bivalve Bash. Taylor Shellfish, a local grower of mussels, clams and other shelled delights, is in the final throes of preparation for this annual festival honoring the oyster.

"The idea is to have some summer fun on the beach while raising awareness of water quality issues," says Taylor Shellfish Farms President Bill Taylor.

Held near Bellingham in the midst of the stunning Chuckanut Drive at the Taylor Shellfish Samish Farm, The Bivalve Bash benefits the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance’s clean water education programs. The bash boasts a mud run, an oyster shucking competition, the world’s only oyster shell sculpture contest and plenty of family-friendly events throughout the day. Entry is only $5, making this an affordable and fun-filed day trip.

Show your athletic prowess in the low tide Mud Run, which runs 250-yards for adults and a 100-yard race for kids. It’s said that this unusual foot race may be the toughest yard-for-yard in the Northwest. Volunteers duct tape shoes to adventurous runners’ feet and hose ‘em down after the race. It is not unusual to see otherwise experienced runners being rescued from the mud after the race before the tide comes in.

Eat ‘em:
The Bivalve Bash fare is worth the short trip North to Bow. You’ll find a generous fresh and barbequed oyster bar, salmon barbecued by the Samish Nation, and a variety of steamed and curried clams and mussels. Other summer favorites like grilled corn on the cob and raspberry shortcake round out the meal. And, of course, the bash's hosts will be pouring award-winning oyster wines and brews by La Conner Brewing Company.

Shuck ‘em:
If you’re the kind of Pacific Northwesterner who serves oysters at parties or volunteers to shuck when you’re at the neighborhood barbeque then the amateur oyster shucking competition was built for you. BYOK (knife that is) or use the shucking knives and gloves provided at the competition. Either way you’ll be eligible to be crowned a champ! Who knows? Maybe you’ll have an opportunity to go head to head with Seattle Times food writer Nancy Leson, who has participated in the past.

Sculpt ‘em:
The Bivalve Bash activities kick off at 10 a.m. with the world's only Oyster Shell Sculpture Contest. Fifteen oyster shell sculpting teams made up of up to three individuals fill the beach working with shells provided on site for just over three hours to create sculptural forms within the boundary of 32 foot long piece of rope.
Judges award cash prizes of up to $500 based on artistic merit and which team of artists best use the oyster shell’s intrinsic characteristics to express the spirit of the Bivalve Bash. Past contestants include local ceramic artist and Top Chef contestant Robin Leventhal and word on the street is that you might find Hanna Raskin, the new food critic at the Seattle Weekly on the beach surround by a mound ofshells this year.

We promise a day of Northwest tradition and fun for kids of all ages (leave the four-legged creatures at home). Bring your camera to capture the sights! If you have the extra time, the Bow-Edison in the Skagit Valley also boasts a variety of splendid dairies, berry farms, restaurants and bakeries.