In the heart of the coastal town of Depo Bay, a vibrant event takes place that attracts locals and visitors alike every year: the festival combines a Crab Feed with a Wooden Boat Show. People gather in the quiet harbour to celebrate what makes coastal life so special. Fresh crab, maritime tradition, boats and a sense of connection to the ocean are the main elements of this festival. It is more than just food and boat shows; it is a time when residents and visitors connect with nature and each other.
What is the Crab Feed & Boat Show?
The Crab Feed & Boat Show is an annual community event in Depoe Bay that combines a hearty crab feast with a boat show. People come to enjoy fresh crab, view beautifully decorated boats, sample a variety of soups, and participate in the festive atmosphere. Everyone is invited – locals and tourists who love the sea, fun, and good company.
This celebration features:
- Crab Feed – fresh Dungeness crab served with accompaniments: side dishes, bread, drinks. People gather around a large table to enjoy seafood and conversation together.
- Wooden Boat Show – an exhibition of wooden boats from private owners and boats donated to public programmes. The exhibition features homemade boats, rare vessels, and restored boats.
- There is a market and fair around the boat show. There you can view and purchase handicrafts, marine equipment and souvenirs.
- Entertainment includes the opportunity to see how boats are built (master models), talk to craftsmen, and be inspired by boat design.
- U.S. Coast Guard tour: open house at the station, opportunity to climb aboard lifeboats and chat with the crew.
- Excursion and discounts on whale watching trips, discounts on cards for festival guests.
- 50/50 raffle and lottery baskets with prizes: whale watching trips, glass jewellery, wine, etc.
The whole range of activities creates a festive atmosphere, encouraging outdoor activities and a maritime identity. Each element enhances the sense of place and belonging to a sing
Where and how it all happens
The venue for the festival is the small harbour of Depoe Bay, built in such a way that boats, tourists and marine life are all in the same frame. Lunch takes place next to the Community Hall and the jetties, where boats moor and the waves whisper.
The various elements of the festival are located close together: there is a boat exhibition on the piers, lunch and the Kid Zone near the hall, and a soup and tasting area nearby. Everything is arranged so that visitors can move freely between areas, enjoying the sounds of the sea, the smell of crabs and the visual splendour of the boats.
The atmosphere of a small seaside town creates a special charm. The narrow streets leading to the harbour are filled with laughter, the smell of freshly cooked crabs and the ringing hum of conversation. Tourists and locals seem to dissolve into the overall picture of the festival, where every step reveals a new perspective – whether it’s the glint of boats in the sun or smiling children in the entertainment area. These features make the festival a gastronomic event and preserve the culture of Depoe Bay.
What do guests eat and try?
Food takes centre stage at this festival, as crabs remain the main symbol of the event. They are served freshly cooked, with fragrant garlic bread, light
coleslaw and drinks. Guests can choose a large portion of a whole crab or stick to half if they want to leave room for other treats.
The festival is not limited to crabs alone. The kids’ zone is the area of the festival where anyone can find homemade baked goods and simple snacks, which are very suitable for those who like to eat light instead of a hearty meal. It somehow brings the festival back home with the kids
Besides that, the soup contest is also an event that is very looked forward to during the festival. Various types of chowder, from classic to seafood or vegan, offer guests a whole range of flavours. Everyone can try different recipes and vote for the one that is closest to their heart. All this is accompanied by drinks that help quench thirst and at the same time emphasise the rich taste of the gifts of the sea. Thus, food becomes part of the overall rhythm of the holiday, uniting people through shared experiences and tastes.
The festive atmosphere
This festival is not just about food and sea crabs, it is about the breath of the ocean, the sound of the waves and people socialising. Families come here together, with friends and children. Children can play, run, try new sweets and eat homemade baked goods in the specially designated Kid Zone while their parents relax and enjoy the atmosphere and conversation. Locals and visitors, all this, brings together, creating a feeling of unity.
The boat exhibition complements the atmosphere to significantly enhance it. The harbour is thus metamorphosed into a one-of-a-kind open-air gallery: the old wooden ships with their past are next to the modern ones getting ready for the new voyage. Visitors walk leisurely along the docks, they look closely at the hulls, they listen to the owners and sailors’ tales. Every boat story is a small snapshot of life by the seaside, talking about fishing, storms and catching fish successfully.
Final words
The Crab Feed & Wooden Boat Show in Depot Bay is more than just a celebration of the sea and food. It is an event that brings people together through traditions, crafts and flavours. It shows the essence of living at the seashore and tells how such very ordinary things as a fresh local crab or an old wooden fishing boat could not only unite the community but also become the most simple way of offering a friendly welcome and sharing pleasure with each other.