The city of Ocean Shores thrives on tourism. With its restaurants, souvenir and hobby shops, pristine beaches, and miles of uninterrupted coastline, Ocean Shores is the preferred destination for vacationers, weekenders, and RV camping enthusiasts and is a magnet for relocation.

Coinciding with the start of spring at 2:01 this morning, the three-day Razor Clam Festival and Seafood Extravaganza, presented by Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, gets underway at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Ocean Shores Convention Center.

The Ocean Shores Convention Center was awarded a $10,000 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee grant to help defray the operating costs of hosting the festival.

Weather is always a factor with these indoor/outdoor events. According to the National Weather Service, the forecast calls for rain all three days, with high temperatures in the low 50s. Friday should also see some robust winds, 15 to 25 m.p.h.

Nevertheless, the festival promises fresh whole Dungeness crab dinners caught locally by Quinault Pride, seafood and fair food, and a Vendor Village lined with 100 booths, live music and more.

The festival will feature a clam chowder tasting contest, a food court, a Sunday Crab Benedict Brunch, a giant European slide, and a clam gun decorating contest.

The clam chowder tasting contest will feature local restaurants offering public tastings of their inspired recipes. Festival goers can purchase a Tasting Passport for $10 and vote for their favorite chowder in the People’s Choice category. The winning chef will receive a $500 prize. The contest is scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

The fresh whole Dungeness crab dinners, sponsored by Quinault Beach Resort and Casino and Quinault Pride Seafood, include fresh whole Dungeness crab served either warm or cold with herbed new potatoes, cole slaw and butter. Whole crab dinner tickets are $40 ($35 for active military and dependents), and half-crab dinners are $25. Interested parties should purchase in advance at osrazorclamfestival.org to guarantee availability due to the high price of crab. Dungeness crab dinners purchased during the festival weekend will be available while supplies last.

The Food Court will include several options, including Emily’s Oceanview at the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, Bennett’s Fish Shack, Soup & Co., Egg Roll Hut, Alaskan Dumplings, The Grizzly Den, Boogie Beans, Funnel of Love, Hansen Family mini donuts, Cay Sal Pies, and Perkins Family Oyster Farm.

The Crab Benedict Brunch will be held on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance online at osrazorclamfestival.org.

The Vendor Village will include 100 booths featuring hand-made crafts, merchants, sponsors, and nonprofit organizations. The Porthole Pub Bar & Grill will provide a full bar at the Convention Center Main Stage. A clam gun decorating contest is also on the menu.

The music stage on Friday and Saturday

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. SR 109

2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Raucous

5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Deer Swerver

KOSW 88.9 FM personalities will play music for festival goers throughout the event.

Days/times for the festival

Friday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Festival sponsors

Bennett’s Fish Shack, Five Star Dealerships, KOSW 88.9 FM, Leaf Filter, Leafguard, North Beach TV, Peak Propane, Quinault Pride Seafood, Renewal by Andersen, T-Mobile, Tri-State Roofing and US Foods.

For more information, visit osrazorclamfestival.org. Next year’s festival will take place March 20–22.