While Chicago has its pizza and Boston has its beans, Coupeville has its mussels.

Residents and visitors will be celebrating, and eating, them March 6 and 7 at Penn Cove Mussel Festival.

From the scavenger hunts to the art gallery at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, the 18th-annual festival provides fun for all ages.

The Mussel Festival is one of the first events of the year where people “don’t take themselves seriously and also have fun,” said Rita Kuller, Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce executive director.

The festival does, however, give a chance for people to eat tons and tons of mussels.

One opportunity for hungry folks is the Mussel Chowder-Off where local restaurateurs compete to see who has the best chowder in the area.

The chowder tasting begins at noon on Saturday and ballots can be purchased at the Coupeville Recreation Hall. That ballot is also the ticket to the Mussel Shuttle, which transports voters to the participating restaurants.

The 10 Coupeville-based restaurants participating in the contest include Rosi’s Garden Restaurant, Christopher’s Front Street Cafe and the Oystercatcher, all of which will have a different take on a Whidbey Island standard.

“That’s what’s fun. Everybody’s recipe is a little bit different,” said Susan Vanderbeek, owner of the Oystercatcher. Yams, potatoes and a little bit of curry will be in her chowder this year.

Another contestant isn’t sure yet what he’s going to make.

“I honestly don’t know,” said Andreas Wurzrainer, the chef and owner of Christopher’s Front Street Cafe. He previously entered a New-England-style chowder, but might go in a different direction this year.

To satisfy a huge appetite, hit the Mussel Eating Contest. During the one-minute contest, participants consume as many mussels as possible.

Last year, Belfair resident, Stephan Wardell, won the contest.

There will also be a mussel-egg hunt for grownups this year. “We’re going to have a retro-scavenger hunt,” Kuller said.

Children will also get to enjoy a similar scavenger hunt complete with prizes from local businesses.

In addition to the scavenger hunt, children can enjoy several races at the wharf including the Mussel Hustle and the Snail Pace Mussel Race.

All of the races take place both days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and involve mussels in some way, said Patsy Brereton, who has coordinated the activities for the past three years.

Other activities for the two day event include the Mussel Fest Gallery where folks can purchase jewelry, glass, art and a variety of crafts. Proceeds from the Gallery will go toward next year’s mussel festival.

Boat trips out to the mussel farm will also be available this year. The trips depart from the Coupeville Wharf every two hours from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and at noon and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The Penn Cove Mussel Festival wouldn’t be complete without an appearance by the Shifty Sailors, who will be singing their shanties throughout the various restaurants participating in this year’s chowder contest.

The festival originally started at Captain Whidbey Inn to help drum up business in the off season. Through the years the festival eventually grew until it was transferred to Coupeville.

More information is at www.central

whidbeychamber.com.

Let’s have fun

with mussels

The Penn Cove Mussel Festival, March 6 and 7

Headquarters

Headquarters is located at the Coupeville Recreation Hall is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Penn Cove Mussel, Wine and Beer Garden

11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p..m. on Sunday. Garden is located across the street from the Coupeville Recreation Hall.

Chowder Off

Competition begins Saturday at noon. Ballots are available at the Headquarters. The ballot is also the ticket to the Mussel Shuttle which is a bus service between participating restaurants.

Eating contest

Contest begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday and again on Sunday. Sign up in advance at festival headquarters.

Scavenger hunts

Scavenger Hunts are fun for kids and adults. For more information, head to the festival headquarters.

Scavenger Hunts for children along with the Wharf Walk and the Mussel Hustle. Activities start at Coupeville Wharf at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Mussel Fest Gallery

The Gallery is located at the Mussel Festival Headquarters and features items produced by northwest artisans. Items that are available to purchase this year include jewelry, glass, photography, hammocks, scarves and watercolor paintings.

Entertainment

The Shifty Sailors will be singing their shanties at the festival headquarters and then roam through town and visit participating restaurants during the Mussel Chowder-Off.

Mussel boats

Boat rides out to the mussel farm will be available. Rides begin at noon on Saturday and go every two hours until 4 p.m. The rides continue on Sunday at noon and at 2 p.m.