Spring into Summer right now on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. There’s plenty to taste and do!

Explore and taste dozens of new ways to enjoy fresh Hood Canal Spotted Shrimp, and consider dropping a pot and filling your cooler full off the waters of ShrimpFest this Memorial Day weekend.

Located along Highway 101 on the shores of Hood Canal in Brinnon Washington - The Heart of The Hood - is the 22nd Annual Shrimpfest. Brinnon is one of the rare places in the world where you can feast on spot shrimp—a delicacy harvested within a mere four-day commercial shrimping season.

The Brinnon Shrimpfest offers visitors a chance to test the remarkably sweet little crustaceans at a number of vendors, while the tempting opportunity to catch your own spot shrimp looms in nearby Hood Canal. “The Shrimpfest usually lands the weekend after the shrimp season ends,” says event coordinator Phil Thenstedt. “But this year, the first day of the festival is the last day of shrimping.”

Key vendors will offer smoked and deep-fried spot shrimp, along with more tropical options, like Yakisoba noodles with spot shrimp, and fresh papaya.  Be it skewered, sautéed, deep fried, stir fried, or cocktail-ed, there will be an abundance of spotted shrimp for the tasting. Bring your cooler and take home fresh, this season caught, headed and frozen, Hood Canal Shrimp for sale.

Not just tasty food and local beers to fill your senses, but arts and crafts and music all weekend long. Returning bands including Locust Street Taxi, The Eric Miller Band, The Old Sidekicks, Gregg Parke and Lobo del Mar will share the stage.  

Added bonus and Shrimpfest staple is the Modified Belt Sander Races. Watch or participate with your own modified power racer as two sanders, side-by-side on a parallel track are set lose to name the winner the first to cross the mark 75 feet away. 

To find out more and see links to where you can stay along the way, visit http://www.brinnonshrimpfest.org/visit.html. 

Brinnon ShrimpFest takes place Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-29. Gate fee: $5/day. Shrimpfest remains dedicated to honoring the men and women of our military with free admission to veterans and active duty with ID. Kids 12 and under and parking are also free. 

Highway 101’ scenic drive has Brinnon, Washington sitting ‘half-way and center’ between other worthy stops along the road including (Hoodsport), (Hama Hama), to the South and (Sunset Magazine recently highlighted the Timberhouse Restaurant, Hwy 101Quilcene as well as the wonderful wineries and cideries that call the fertile Chimacum Valley leading towards Port Townsend home..

From Sea to Summit and from Canal to Coast the invitation to Enjoy the Olympic Peninsula is extended year round to all.

Check out www.EnjoyOlympicPeninsula.com for updated itineraries and great deals today. 

Whether you are a foodie, a romantic, an adventure seeker or looking for family fun, there is always plenty reasons to Enjoy the Olympic Peninsula every season of the year!