Blaine Oyster Fest and Harbor Harvest Festival to ring in fall

Blaine Oyster Fest and the Harbor Harvest Festival are returning in tandem to downtown Blaine on Saturday, October 12 to celebrate the local fall bounty.

“We’re calling it a celebration of land and sea,” said Jacquee Sovereign, Blaine Chamber of Commerce executive director. “The event theme is harvesting from the ocean and from the ground.”

Drayton Harbor Oyster Company (DHO) is holding the third annual Oyster Fest from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at its restaurant, 685 Peace Portal Drive, and the adjacent H Street Plaza. Attendees can avoid lines by purchasing food and drink tickets starting at 8 a.m. at the restaurant, DHO co-owner Steve Seymour said.

DHO will sell grilled and raw oysters, a seafood boil, shrimp tacos and alcoholic beverages. Oyster Fest will have an ‘oysteregg’ hunt, shucking contest and other activities. There will also be live music from Doug Allen and Friends, Monk Slippers Jazz Quartet and The Penny Stinkers.

The Harbor Harvest Festival will be held at Peace Portal Drive and H Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival will have a street fair of artisan goods, beer garden and youth activities such as face painting, chalk and cornhole, Sovereign said. Michael Dayvid, DJ Michael, and Shannon Patiño and the Late Night Cravings will perform live music.

The Harbor Harvest Festival is being organized by the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the city of Blaine, Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 and Christ Episcopal Church.

The parks district shuttle will provide free rides between downtown and Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett Street, for a celebration at its garden. The church will help attendees harvest their own carrots and put on youth games. The first 150 attendees will receive a free pumpkin and flowers will be available while supplies last. There will also be live music, free carrot cake and a quilt raffle.

The Blaine Arts Council will also have materials for children to make free oyster shell ornaments  from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Blaine Art Gallery, 922 Peace Portal Drive.

For more information on the festivals, visit blainebythesea.com.