18th Annual Oyster Festival

The 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.

18th Annual
Arcata Bay Oyster Festival
10 am to 6 pm
June 14, 2008
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).

Try them roasted, barbecued, fried, on the half shell or on pizza, secret sauces and with wild 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 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.'

Parking & Shuttles
Don't want to park in Downtown Arcata? Use our park and ride spots! In our continuing efforts to provide convenience to our patrons and alleviate negative impacts, the festival will be providing off-site parking and free shuttle bus service for the event.

Parking Lots are available at:
Arcata High School
HSU at 14th and Union
Samoa Boulevard 2 blocks west of K Street

Shuttle busses will run every 10-15 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 pm
Questions? Call Arcata Main Street at (707) 822-4500

2008 Music Line-up and schedule of events

Magnolia, 11 am
Oyster Calling Contest, noon
Womamma, 1:15 pm
Bucky Walters, 2:45 pm
Shuck & Swallow Contest, 3:45 pm
Bump Foundation, 4:15 pm

New for 2008:

The Oyster Festival is going green! In an attempt reduce the environmental impact a large festival has, we are taking steps to reduce our waste from the Oyster Festival!

This year’s souvenir tees with be 100% organic cotton tees, available in men’s short sleeve and long sleeve styles and women’s short sleeve styles.

We will also be recycling all of the oyster shells! The shells are sorted out from the trash and recycling flow, and used as filters for fish hatcheries.

Last but not least, we will also be using special compostable cups for all beer served at the festival.

2008 Food Vendors

Humboldt Bay Oyster Company
Shuck Shack
Pachenga
Beer Booths – Arcata Main Street
Oberon Grill
Eureka High Football Team
Hurricane Kate
Bless My Soul Café
Abruzzi/Plaza Grill
Coast Seafood
Bear River Casino
CET
Libation Wine Booth
Aqua Rodeo Farms
Curley's Grill
Arcata Kiwanis
Samurai
Sayeda
Blue Lake Casino
Annie's Cambodian
Fire Arts
Folie Douce
Mad River Farm
May's Chinese Food
Tomo
Smokin' Moses
Red Lion
Flavor Saver
Oriental Lao Food
New Orleans Po Boys

2008 Children's Area

ABMC
Julie's Shaved Ice
Waxtivities
Wildlife Care Center

2008 Art Vendors

Arcata Assembly
Amy Pollack, Artist
Alan Justice Photography
Raven Hoodies
Henneyat
Ron Peterson Jewelry
Ozone
Catlin Blair Designs
Stra8outtaWeedCa
Crystal Bound
Native Springs
Driftwood Designs
Body Art Express