Contestant in the Oyster Shell Design Contest

Saturday, July 14th - Over 1,000 people attended the 5^th annual Bivalve Bash at Taylor Shellfish Farms in Samish Bay.  The event featured an array of delicious and fresh seafood, most notably shellfish.  Kids (both young and old) got to meet some of the Pacific Northwest marine life firsthand with an interactive marine-life petting-zoo. 

The event was co-sponsored by the MudUp campaign, and a slough of muddy people were present, along with the MudMonster, to partake in the festivities and raise awareness about MudUp and its work towards a cleaner Puget Sound.  Says Jeff Compton of The Nature Conservancy;  "Bivalve Bash was a blast.  I've never seen such a muddy group of seafood lovers. Spending time with so many people who enjoy and appreciate Puget Sound recharges my hope that we will make the right choices for the future and do what needs to be done."  Jeff, and group of determined youngsters, also had a great time playing oyster-shell shuffleboard and betting on crab races. 

Other highlights were a song and skit performed by the MudMonster and MudBuddies, and a creative oyster-shell art contest.  The most dramatic moment of the day was a 250-yard MudRun – a sloppy race of over 100 contestants through calf-deep, gooey, thick, and sticky mud.  Racers were serious, duct-taping up their shoes, donning fitness-wear, and making sure to warm up before the race.  A beautiful day, a beautiful attendance, and fun festivities got many people involved in the Sound.  Certainly this was one of the more fun ways one can enjoy the beautiful Puget Sound!

Bivalve Bash Photo Album