Tickets are now on sale for Musselfest 2023.
This year’s event is back up to full size, with a variety of events for adults and children.
The fun begins Friday, March 3, with the “Mussel Mingle” from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Coupeville Rec Hall parking lot. Penn Cove Mussels prepared by Front Street Grill, craft beer from Penn Cove Brewing Co. and Flyers Restaurant and Brewery, cider from Greenbank Cidery and wine from Rain Shower Cellars will be served, with live music provided by Ike and the Old Man.
Tickets are available online only for $35 and include two food items and two drinks. This event is for adults ages 21 and over.
The main festivities will take place Saturday and Sunday March 4 and 5. Mussel chowder tasting will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Chowder tasting tickets cost $40 and are sold online only.
Ten local restaurants are participating in this year’s tasting: Callen’s Restaurant, Captain Whidbey, Cedar and Salt Coffeehouse, Front Street Grill, Gordon’s Fusion Cuisine, Overboard, Penn Cove Brewing Co., Pizza Factory, Toby’s Tavern and Tyee Restaurant. Tasters will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite chowder.
Tasting participants must pick up their pre-purchased tickets at a will-call tent on Alexander Street on the day of their tasting tour.
In the Musselfest Blue Zone, guests 21 and over can enjoy a beer garden and live music from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday in the Rec Hall parking lot. A number of local musicians will play throughout the weekend.
A mussel eating competition will take place each day at 3 p.m. The entry fee is $5, and participants must register in advance.
Mussel farm boat tours will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tour tickets are $15.
Plenty of activities will take place on Front Street throughout the festival, such as mermaid visits, an all-ages scavenger hunt and children’s activities, including crafts and “Fishin’ Off the Pier.”
For a full schedule of events, or to purchase tickets, visit coupevillehistoricwaterfront.com/musselfest2023. Tickets are expected to sell out fast.
