Full Steam Ahead for Half Moon Bay Crab Fest

The Half Moon Bay Crab Fest organizing team issued the following press release and statement concerning the possible delay of the commercial crab fishing season:

The organizing team behind Half Moon Bay Crab Fest, “Celebrating Local Seafood”, is moving full steam ahead with plans for its January 30-31 event.

There has been widespread news media reporting this week of the possible delay of commercial crab season due to high levels of domoic acid found in current testing along the Northern California coast.

This very fluid situation is particularly challenging for our world-class, local crab fishing fleet and food-serving community and we empathize and send our positive thoughts for a good outcome, knowing the importance and economic impact of crab season.

First and foremost, SAFETY is our TOP priority for Crab Fest patrons.

We will be working closely with our exceptional seafood suppliers and culinary partners to verify the source and condition of all food product to ensure all food items served are safe and delicious to eat.

The CA Dept of Fish and Game ruling on whether or not to open commercial crab fishing season here on time (Nov 15) or to delay it will be made in the coming days.

According to local fishing officials, if they vote to delay the opening, it likely would be pushed back for a short period (1-2 weeks) while they continue testing for levels of domoic acid.

It’s premature to determine the effect on Crab Fest which is January 30-31 (nearly 3 months away) and it’s very likely the crab season will be deemed safe and open well in advance.

We want to emphasize Crab Fest is well-rounded with other local seafood and delicious food tastings plus craft beer, wine and cocktail tastings, chefs’ demos and live music.

All seafood and food served, crab or otherwise, will be the best you will find.

Rest assured, we will work closely with our food suppliers and restaurants to ensure all food is safe and delicious.

The weekend-long celebration will take place under large festive tents in the sprawling lots around Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, the event’s founding sponsor, in cool, funky Princeton-By-The-Sea.

Media contact should be made through the Crab Fest media relations office at 650-726-3491

About Dungeness Crab and Pillar Point Harbor

Commercially harvested for over a century, Dungeness crab is one of the most valuable and coveted seafood delicacies. The Half Moon Bay Coastside boasts one of the largest concentrations of Dungeness in its territory along the west coast of North America. During crab season from November through June, more than 50 commercial crab boats set out from Pillar Point Harbor, the last working fishing harbor between San Francisco and Monterey.

About Half Moon Bay Crab Fest, “Celebrating Local Seafood”

WHAT: Half Moon Bay celebrates its popular and bustling Dungeness crab fishing season and local seafood with the introduction of Crab Week (Jan. 30-Feb. 6, 2016), a week-long series of events and activities on the picturesque San Mateo County coastline kicked off by Crab Fest (Jan. 30-31). The two-day outdoor Crab Fest captures the essence of the exploding artisan food and drink movement showcasing the best restaurants, food producers, breweries, wineries, and distilleries from the Coastside and beyond. The festival held under big tents on the expansive lots at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company will feature small plate tastings and samples of fabulous fresh Dungeness crab, seafood and other incredible edibles along with craft beer, wine and cocktail tastings, stellar live music on “The Big Catch” Concert Stage, entertaining demos and artisan food purveyors in the Chefs’ Tent presented by Edible Silicon Valley Magazine, Google and Bon Appetit Management, an Oyster Eating Contest presented by Sam’s Chowder House, an educational component with marine, fisheries, sustainability and educational exhibits plus fresh, just-caught whole Dungeness crab and more to buy and take home at nearby Pillar Point Harbor. Across the street in the “Field of Dreams” lot overlooking the harbor, is the fantastically-fun Crazy Crab Kidz Fest & Cool Coastal Marketplace with an array of awesome attractions including a 45-foot tall LED lighted Ferris Wheel, zip-line, bungee jump, waterballerz, rock climbing wall, The Sardine Family Circus Stage, entertainment, fun and games, ocean-inspired arts and crafts, local watersports businesses, ocean advocacy organizations, food trucks, and a big beer and wine garden. The primary charitable beneficiaries are Mavericks Coastside Foundation and the Cabrillo Education Foundation.

ADMISSION: Crab Fest ($75-$100/day); Crazy Crab Kidz Fest & Cool Coastal Marketplace ($5-$10/day) get tickets here

WHEN: January 30-31, 2016; 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (one hour early VIP admission at 10 a.m.)

WHERE: Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, 390 Capistrano Rd., Half Moon Bay CA

INFO-LINE: 650-728-2739 X 207

WEBSITE: http://www.crabweek.org

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HMBCrabWeek

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CrabWeek

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/crabweek