Depoe Bay will be cooking up locally sourced and caught crab when the annual Depoe Bay Crab Feed returns Saturday, April 15. New this year will be the inaugural Chowder Contest, while the colorful classic wooden boat show will also return to the “world’s smallest harbor.”
Hundreds of pounds of delicious whole Dungeness crab, caught locally in partnership with West Fish Co., will be cooked to perfection.
The price of a meal for a whole crab will be $26 and $16 for a half crab. Meals include coleslaw, garlic bread and a beverage. Baked goods will also be sold at the Kids Zone table.
The classic wooden boat show will feature both vintage and modern hand-crafted vessels from across the Northwest.
Depoe Bay’s Coast Guard station will open its doors to tours of its patrol and rescue boats. Climb aboard one of their boats and spend some time talking with one of the crew.
At the Whale Watching Center, park rangers are ready to help you spot gray whales. Take a whale watching trip with Tradewinds Charters or Whale Research EcoExcursions, who will give a $5 discount that day to anyone with a crab feed bracelet.
New this year, the chowder contest will see several home chefs and restaurants competing for the title of best chowder, with entries including vegan, seafood, chicken and, of course. traditional style clam chowder.
Judges have been invited from around the state. Tickets for the tasting and the chance to vote for your favorite are $5.
“I’m excited and nervous at the same time,” said Debbie Hatch, a home chef entry. “I won’t eat chowder anywhere else but at my house. It’s always all from scratch — we even dig our own clams. It’s not the same typical chowder people get at restaurants. For example, I don’t use bacon.”
But making enough chowder to satisfy the crowds will not be a problem.
“When I make my chowder, I end up sending gobs of it home with everyone because I just can’t seem to make a small batch.”
Hatch also makes fish and chips that receive the same rave reviews as her chowder.
“At one point in time we were interested in opening a restaurant in Lincoln City,” she said, “but we aren’t there yet.”
Who knows, maybe your vote at the contest can help create a new local restaurant.
- The feed is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the chowder contest winner announced at 3 p.m, at the Depoe Bay Harbor and Community Hall, 220 S.E. Bay St. For more information, go to DiscoverDepoeBay.org
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