17th Annual Arcata Bay Oyster Festival has become a tradition for local restaurateurs, executive chefs, and caterers to show off their culinary skills by preparing oysters in every imaginable way. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 16, 2007 on the Arcata Plaza!

More than 70% of the fresh oysters consumed in California are grown in 450 acres of Arcata Bay. June is a peak month for oyster harvests in Humboldt County. These oysters are are farmed in environmentally friendly bags tethered to posts in the Arcata Bay (no harmful dredging of the bay is necessary for their harvest).

Selections include barbecued oysters with green mango sauce, oyster tacos, oyster Rockefeller perogies, barbecued oysters with tart chili cucumber sauce, oyster stew, oyster burgers and deep-fried oysters abandon. With imagination and flair, one can eat away the entire day. The coals glow hot from early morning 'til the last oyster has been shucked.

Crowds throughout the day top 10,000 to 15,000, keeping local food vendors more than busy. Most festival vendors are chefs from Humboldt County's most appreciated restaurants. Each year festival chefs compete in the annual oyster tasting competition to claim the auspicious award of 'Best Oyster of the Festival' and 'Peoples' Choice.'

New this year is the Shuck and Swallow Contest, where teams ign up to eat as many oysters as they can within a specified period of time

music: Earl Thomas : The Bayous Swamis : Kulica
what: The Arcata Bay Oyster Festival
when: Saturday June 16 2007 10AM to 6PM
were: The Arcata Plaza

The festival will provide off-site free parking and free shuttle bus service for the event. Parking lots are available at Arcata High School, Humboldt State University’s 14th and Union lot and on Samoa Boulevard two blocks west of K Street.

Shuttle buses will run every 10 to 15 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.