New Organization Takes the Helm of The Dungeness Crab Festival: formally the Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Organization Takes the Helm of The Dungeness Crab Festival: formally the Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival.
Port Angeles, WA – March 1, 2024
After overseeing the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival as one of its founders and the director for 23 years, Scott Nagel passes the event reins to The Dungeness Crab Festival. In his years as director, Nagel has guided the event through challenging economic events, fluctuating crab prices, and a global pandemic. The Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival has long been regarded as one of the highlight, legacy events of the North Olympic Peninsula and draws crowds from far and wide.
The festival, scheduled for October 11-13, 2024, at the Port Angeles Waterfront / Red Lion Hotel, will continue Nagel’s legacy with an exciting lineup of events and a renewed commitment to community engagement. The initial board of directors are Victoria Jones, Neil Conklin, Michael McQuay, and Rose Thompson, all local business owners with decades of festival experience under their belts. The new festival committee is devoted to reinvigorating longstanding partnerships with local non-profits, Native American tribes, civic organizations, local schools, and both the City of Port Angeles and Clallam County. These community partnerships will amplify the economic, cultural, and marketing impact of The Dungeness Crab Festival.
Event Highlights: The Dungeness Crab Festival will continue to offer a vibrant hub of experiences, including:
● Fresh Dungeness Crab and seafood from local tribes
● Agriculture showcase with organic produce from the Olympic Peninsula’s farms
● Environmental education initiatives by Feiro Marine Life Center, NOAA, Coast Guard, and more
● Arts celebration featuring native crafts and modern works by local artists
● Fine wines and microbrews tasting
● Family-friendly programs and foods for kids
● Music and dance on multiple stages
● Demonstrations by the Coast Guard, Native American canoes, and more
Community Commitment:
The Dungeness Crab Festival remains dedicated to fostering cultural awareness, promoting tourism, and contributing to economic development in Clallam County. Net proceeds from the festival will be distributed to local organizations involved in its organization, reinforcing the spirit of community engagement.
Future Growth:
With an ambitious goal of attracting 15,000 attendees in 2024 and incrementally increasing to a capacity target of 30,000, The Dungeness Crab Festival is poised for continued growth and success.
For More Information:
Rose Thompson,
Executive Director The Dungeness Crab Festival
PO Box 2406
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Popular Festival Acquires Title Sponsor
March 29, 2024
Contact: Rose Thompson, executive director
The Dungeness Crab Festival
(360) 775-8832
rose@crabfestival.org
Popular Festival Acquires Title Sponsor As part of its commitment to community, organizers of The Dungeness Crab Festival announce a partnership with Black Ball Ferry Line, operators of a popular mode of transportation between Port Angeles and Victoria, B.C.
Black Ball Ferry Line, based in Victoria, will become title sponsor of the newly-formed festival 501-c 3 and looks forward to continuing to provide full sailings between the two cities throughout CrabFest weekend October 11-13, 2024.
“We are delighted to partner with Black Ball in this new way since the ferry has brought full boats of festival goers to our big tent to enjoy our local Dungeness crab, live music, and craft vendors,” says Rose Thompson, The Dungeness Crab Festival executive director.
“Through this sponsorship, we will be able to tap into a number of cooperative marketing efforts to continue the festival’s success for many years to come,” she says.
The vessel M/V Coho has transported thousands of passengers from Victoria to Port Angeles for the CrabFest event, and has supported the festival through pre-sales of crab dinners and a creative marketing campaign called “Grab the Crabs” in the weeks leading up to the event.
Rian Anderson, Terminal Operations Vice President and co-owner of Black Ball Ferry Line, says the company is proud to be title sponsor.
“The Dungeness Crab Festival is a celebrated event in Port Angeles and the Pacific Northwest region. We have a long standing partnership with CrabFest, and look forward to expanding on it with the new team.”
The Dungeness Crab Festival will be held in downtown Port Angeles and City Pier October 11-13, 2024 and features entertainment, Dungeness crab and seafood vendors, a beer and wine garden, and artisan booths. Admission is free. Information may be found at crabfestival.org.
The Dungeness Crab Festival is dedicated to celebrating the cultural heritage and maritime traditions of the Dungeness region. Our mission is to foster community engagement, support local businesses, and provide an enriching, educational, and enjoyable experience through our annual festival and related events. We strive to promote sustainability, economic growth, and a sense of unity within our community, honoring the legacy of the Dungeness crab and the natural beauty of our region.
