Please note that the parking lot in front of the Coupeville Recreation Hall will be closed starting Friday afternoon through Sunday evening. Parking is available next to the Coupeville Library off of NW Alexander Street.
FRIDAY, MARCH 2nd
5:30pm – 8:30pm
TASTING PENN COVE:
COUPEVILLE’S MUSSEL MINGLE
Coupeville Rec Hall
Enjoy Giant “Prairie Dog” Polish Hot Dogs, Thai Ginger Marinated Penn Cove Mussels, Wine and Flyer’s famous Penn Cove Pilsner & Pale Ale. Tambourine Sky performing live!
Tickets ($20) available at the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce, the bayleaf and Aqua Gifts. Mussel chowder tasting tickets for the following day will be available for purchase at the Mingle.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3rd
10:30am – 4:00pm – Sat.
MUSSELFEST HEADQUARTERS OPEN
Coupeville Rec Hall
11:00am – 2:00pm – Sat.
MUSSEL COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS
Coupeville Rec Hall
Featuring Guest Chefs:
- Steve Clarke, Mussel Chef and Urban Legend, Penn Cove Shellfish (11:00-11:30)
- Tara Cagle, Executive Chef, The Pink Door Restaurant Seattle (11:30-12:00)
- Jo Leblatt, Executive Chef, Etta’s Restaurant Seattle (12:30-1:00)
- Brenda Rodriguez, Private Chef, Seattle (1:00-1:30)
- Rawle Jefferds, World Famous Mussel Farmer, Penn Cove Shellfish (1:30-2:00)
11:00am – 5:00pm – Sat.
MUSSEL FARM TOURS (TICKETS $10)
Cruise aboard the Glacier Spirit and visit the Penn Cove Shellfish Farm. Tours will be led by Penn Cove Shellfish staff and will leave from the Coupeville Wharf.
11:30am – 4:00pm – Sat.
MUSSEL SHUTTLES (FREE!)
Sponsored by the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association, the Captain Whidbey Inn and the Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle & Charter
Travel the “Tasting Route” aboard these 24 passenger mini coaches. The Mussel Shuttles will run a continuous loop from downtown Coupeville, out to the Captain Whidbey Inn and back along the prairie to the south Main Street participating restaurants.
11:30am – 3:30pm – Sat.
MUSSEL CHOWDER TASTING ($10)
Sample local restaurant’s secret mussel chowder recipes and vote for your favorite!
Participating Restaurants Include:
- Christopher’s on Whidbey
- Ciao
- Coupeville Coffee & Bistro
- The Cove Thai Cuisine
- Ebey Bowl (2011 Chowder Winner)
- Frontstreet Grill
- Kim’s Cafe
- Knead and Feed
- Mosquito Fleet Galley
- The Oystercatcher
- Pizza Factory
- The Captain Whidbey Inn
- Toby’s Tavern
- The Tyee
12:00pm – 9:00pm – Sat.
PENN COVE SHELLFISH MUSSEL
& BEER GARDEN
Located across from the Rec Hall
Sponsored by Penn Cove Shellfish, Sierra Nevada Brewery and Flyers Restaurant and Brewery.
Amazing steamed mussels served 12:00 – 5:00
Performing:
- Marcus Whiting 12:00 – 2:15
- Tiller’s Folley 2:30 – 5:30
- The Steve Trembley Band 5:30 – 9:00
11:30am – 3:00pm – Sat.
CHILDREN’S SEASIDE ACTIVITIES AND SONGS (FREE!)
Mariners Court, 23 Front Street
Join Nancy Stewart, national award-winning children’s entertainer and Northwest family favorite, for a fun-filled concert of sing-along fun! Children’s art and activities will also take place throughout the day.
Performing:
- Nancy Stewart 11:30 – 12:15
11:30am – 3:30pm – Sat.
CUTTY SARK SAILING ADVENTURES ($30)
Coupeville Wharf
Join Captain John Stone for a 2 hour sailing adventure around Penn Cove aboard the Cutty Sark.
Sailings (weather permitting):
3:00pm – 3:30pm – Sat.
MUSSEL EATING COMPETITION ($5)
Coupeville Rec Hall
You do not want to miss this! Who will take home the coveted MusselFest Crown? Whoever can eat (5) 16oz. cups of mussels first! Space is limited to 30 contestants.
5:00pm – 7:00pm – Sat.
LATE NIGHT SHOPPING AND ART WALK
Downtown Coupeville
Sunday March 4th
10:30am – 4:00pm – Sunday
MUSSELFEST HEADQUARTERS OPEN
Coupeville Rec Hall
11:00am – 1:30pm – Sun.
MUSSEL COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS
Coupeville Rec Hall
Featuring Guest Chefs:
- Tara Cagle, Executive Chef, The Pink Door Restaurant Seattle (11:00-11:30)
- Jo Leblatt, Executive Chef, Etta’s Restaurant Seattle (11:30-12:00)
- Brenda Rodriguez, Private Chef, Seattle (12:30-1:00)
- Steve Clarke, Mussel Chef and Urban Legend, Penn Cove Shellfish (1:00-1:30)
- Rawle Jefferds, World Famous Mussel Farmer, Penn Cove Shellfish (1:30-2:00)
11:30am – 4:00pm – Sun.
MUSSEL SHUTTLES (FREE!)
Sponsored by the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association and the Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle & Charter
Travel the “Tasting Route” aboard these 24 passenger mini coaches. The Mussel Shuttles will run a continuous loop from downtown Coupeville, out to the Captain Whidbey Inn and back along the prairie to the south Main Street participating restaurants.
11:30am – 3:30pm – Sun.
MUSSEL CHOWDER TASTING ($10)
Sample local restaurant’s secret mussel chowder recipes and vote for your favorite!
Participating Restaurants Include:
- Christopher’s on Whidbey
- The Cove Thai Cuisine
- Ebey Bowl
- Frontstreet Grill
- Kim’s Cafe
- Knead and Feed
- Mosquito Fleet Galley
- The Oystercatcher
- Pizza Factory
- The Ship of Fools at the Captain Whidbey Inn
- Toby’s Tavern
- The Tyee
11:30am – 3:00pm – Sun.
WATERFRONT BEER GARDEN
Sponsored by the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association
Featuring Musical Guests:
11:00am – 4:00pm – Sun.
MUSSEL FARM TOURS ($10)
Leaves from the Coupeville Wharf
Cruise aboard the Glacier Spirit and visit the Penn Cove Shellfish Farm. Tours will be led by Penn Cove Shellfish staff and will leave the wharf.
11:30am – 2:30pm – Sun.
CHILDREN’S SEASIDE ACTIVITIES AND STORIES
Island Count Historical Society Museum,
908 NW Alexander Street, Coupeville
Listen to seaside stories and make mussel at the Island County Historical Society Museum.
3:00pm – 3:30pm – Sun.
MUSSEL EATING COMPETITION ($5)
Coupeville Rec Hall
You do not want to miss this! Who will take home the coveted MusselFest Crown? Whoever can eat (5) 16oz. cups of mussels first!
Other Community Weekend Events
SATURDAY – MARCH 3rd
Mussels in the Kettles Bike Ride
9:00am – 1:00pm – Saturday
The Whidbey Island Bicycle Club is sponsoring its 2nd annual “MUSSELS IN THE KETTLES” Mountain Bike Poker Run.
This is a non-competitive ride for all abilities. There will be three courses throughout the Fort Ebey and Kettles trail systems.
Registration and more information is available at www.WhidbeyBicycleClub.org
SATURDAY – March 3rd and SUNDAY – March 4th
– 10:00am – 5:00pm
Spring Art Studio Tour
PRESENTED BY WHIDBEY WORKING ARTISTS, THE STUDIO TOUR FEATURES 28 ARTISTS AT 21 LOCATIONS FROM GREENBANK TO OAK HARBOR.
A map and artist information is available at www.WhidbeyWorkingArtists.com
Friday, March 2, 5:30pm-8:30pm
