Penn Cove Musselfest in Coupeville: Seafood Celebration in WA
Wondering what happens at the Penn Cove Musselfest in Coupeville, Washington? Let me tell you!
I live just a couple miles away from Coupeville and was thrilled to pop over and attend the Penn Cove Musselfest!
The Penn Cove Musselfest is a beloved annual event that celebrates the abundance of mussels harvested from the pristine waters of Penn Cove, Washington. Every year, locals and visitors alike flock to this small seaside town for an unforgettable day filled with local seafood, live music, mussel-themed events, and plenty of family-friendly activities.
Whether you’re looking to sample some delicious mussel dishes or just soak up the unique atmosphere of Coupeville’s fishing village vibes–the Penn Cove Musselfest has something for everyone!
If you find yourself on Whidbey Island during this time, I highly recommend attending this one-of-a-kind festival.
What is the Penn Cove Musselfest in Coupeville?
A mussel is a type of bivalve mollusk, meaning it has two hinged shells. They are found in both freshwater and saltwater environments, feeding on plankton by filtering water through their body.
Penn Cove is famous for its mussel farms. You are sure to see the floating barges in the cove if you are driving in or out of Coupeville via Madrona Way.
The Penn Cove Musselfest is a 3-day celebration of this shellfish with limited tickets to mussel chowder tastings, chef demonstrations on how to cook mussels (with free tastings!), boat tours to the mussel farm, kids activities, music, and more!
When is the Penn Cove Musselfest in Coupeville?
The Penn Cove Musselfest takes place the first weekend of March.
It’s a good way to ward off the winter blues and welcome the impending spring.
Where is the Penn Cove Musselfest in Coupeville?
The Penn Cove Musselfest takes place in Coupeville, Washington state’s second oldest community located on Whidbey Island, just over 2hrs away from Seattle.
The festival closes off the historic downtown waterfront to traffic and fills the streets with food vendors, mermaids, beer gardens, musicians, and more.
Parking
Parking can get crowded and limited for the Musselfest in Coupeville. The large parking lot behind the Coupeville Public Library charges $5 per vehicle for convenient parking. Or you can hunt around town for free street parking, possibly having to walk uphill a few blocks.
Please be conscious of NO PARKING signs along various shoulders.
Free Bus Shuttle
Thankfully there is a free bus shuttle for the Musselfest that runs every 20 minutes. This allows you to easily park at the elementary or high schools and hitch a ride to the festivities.
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Things to do at the Penn Cove Musselfest in Coupeville
Mussel Mingle
Friday night is the kick-off for the Penn Cove Musselfest in Coupeville. Buy your $35 tickets online for two tastings of mussels, some kielbasa, and two drinks from local breweries and wineries.
Spend the evening hanging with friends and listening to live music.
Mussel Chowder Tasting
Saturday and Sunday are game days with with mussel chowder tastings.
Only 1,000 tasting tickets are sold for two days of chowder tastings and they sell out FAST, so once they go on sale, don’t dawdle or you’re out of luck!
For $40, sample a cup of 10 Whidbey Island restaurants’ secret mussel chowders. Vote for your favorite!
Chef Demonstrations
Watch a mini cooking show in the Rec Hall as local island chefs cook a pot of mussels in real-time with their own recipes.
Afterwards, stand in line to get a FREE SAMPLE of the dish they’ve just prepared. That’s right! Free mussel tastings!
Come to different presentations to compare recipes and decide which one’s your favorite!
I am not a big seafood person and had never tried mussels, but I took advantage of the free samples and was pleasantly surprised at how good they were!
Mussel Farm Boat Tours
As the mussels you are eating throughout the festival are farmed right there in Penn Cove, it’s only fitting that you should take a tour of the food source.
For $15, take a 45-minute comfortable boat ride through Penn Cove with a narrator explaining the history of mussels in the area and its impact on the community.
Boat tours run all day both Saturday and Sunday.
Kids Scavenger Hunt
For $10, kids can participate in a town-wide scavenger hunt.
Pick up a plastic sand bucket and a list of clues from the scavenger hunt booth. Then go around to participating shops where they will give you a trinket to put in your bucket.
Once you’ve completed the quest of finding all the clues, come back to the scavenger hunt booth to claim your treasure chest prize!
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Mussel Eating Contest
If you love mussels and want to test your speed eating skills, then for $5 you can participate in the mussel eating contest on either Saturday or Sunday. All ages are welcome.
Each contestant is given 3 red solo cups full of mussels. The contest is a fast one, lasting just a minute or two.
The first person to finish all the mussels is crowned the mussel king or queen! The grand prize is gloating privileges.
The year I went, a guy from Atlanta, GA won by a landslide, beating out a local 3-time champion.
Kids Fishing Off the Pier
For a couple of hours there is a free kids “fishing” activity off of a pier deck.
Little kids can cast their fishing line over the edge and catch a bag of fishy candy.
Vendors
Food vendors lining the streets will keep you well-satiated throughout the day.
Of course you’ll find some selling mussels! They can come steamed, in chowder, or maybe even in paella.
But if seafood isn’t your thing, there is sure to be a food truck selling a food you’ll like. Perhaps you’ll find spaghetti sticks, fresh curly fries, or shave ice. Not to mention all the regular restaurants in downtown are still open for business.
Besides food, there is an eclectic collection of other vendors like park rangers, fish and wildlife naturalists, WAIF, and wait for it…mermaids.
If you ever wanted to meet “real” mermaids you can pay a fee to get photo evidence with them.
Children’s Arts & Crafts
The Whidbey Island Masonic Lodge hosts a space for kids to do Musselfest-themed crafts.
This is a good respite from the crowds and weather but still staying festive.
Music
Live music can be found all over historic Coupeville over the weekend.
The beer tent is open on Saturday with performances and food for 21+.
The Blue Zone in front of the Rec Hall, has an all ages section as well as a 21+ beer garden with views of live entertainment.
In front of the wharf entrance on Front Street you’ll also find crowds gathered around still other musical performances.
Shopping
Historic downtown Coupeville is already full of cute boutique shops and restaurants. With all the hustle and bustle of the festival, these shops have their doors wide open, welcoming guests to come peruse their goods.
Check out the Coupeville Historic Waterfront website for current tickets and schedules to the Penn Cove Musselfest.
Other fun events around Washington state:
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Civil War Reenactment near Yakima
Snohomish Wine Walk
Epilogue: Penn Cove Musselfest in Coupeville
The Penn Cove Musselfest in Coupeville on Whidbey Island is an exciting and unique event that should not be missed! From chef demonstrations to boat tours, scavenger hunts for the kids, mussel eating contests, mussel chowder tastings, and live music performances, there’s plenty to keep you busy for hours.
🌲 Washington Travel Planning Guide 🌲
🚨 Should I buy Washington travel insurance?
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🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in Washington?
YES — It’s totally safe to drive in Washington. And unless you are planning to just stay in Seattle, renting a car is pretty much a necessity! Beware of tolls whether crossing bridges or driving in HOV lanes. I recommend Discover Cars as they have some of the best prices around.
📞 Will my phone work in Washington?
YES — All major cell providers work in Washington. However, be prepared for some dead spots in the more remote parts like in the middle of the cascades.
🛏️ What’s the best way to book my Washington accommodations?
For Washington hotels, Booking.com is amazing because you can often reserve your room with no money down. If you are looking at Airbnbs for a more home-like stay, don’t forget to check VRBO for potentially better prices and options.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Washington flights?
I recommend looking at Skyscanner for finding cheap flights. Pro Tip: check if flying into Everett is cheaper than flying into Seattle.
🛂 Do I need a passport to visit Washington?
NO — If you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport as Washington is part of the United States. If you are from out of the country, the same passport and visa requirements are the same as entering anywhere in the United States from your country.
🧳What should I pack to Washington?
Layers! Layers! Layers! Weather can get finnicky, so prepare for both rain and sunny warm days. Wear comfortable walking shoes that can go from city strolls to mountain hiking.
