 You call it mud, we call it fun
by Kate McDermott
The 8th Annual Samish Bay Bivalve Bash and Low Tide Mud Run will be held Saturday, July 24 at the Taylor Shellfish Farms on Chuckanut Drive on the shores of Samish Bay just north of Bow. Proceeds from the homegrown, homespun day of games and contests, food and beverage, entertainment and family activities support the community clean water awareness programs of the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance (SCEA).
 The popular 250-yard Low Tide Mud Run, yard for yard the Northwest’s toughest foot race, begins at low tide (-0.47), 10:49 a.m. The strenuous race, limited to the first 200 entrants, requires peak fitness. Shoes are required and clean up hoses are provided. A change of clothes is recommended. Runners stuck in the mud will be rescued before the incoming tide. Mud Run divisions include boys and girls, ages 8-12 and men and women, ages 13 and up. The 100-yard Kid’s Mud Run will start at 11:30 a.m. Medals and prizes will be awarded in each division. For information and entry go to www.bivalvebash.com or call 206/612-2761. Bivalve Bash entry is $5 with kids six and under and Mud Runners admitted free.
Bivalve Bash activities kick off at 9 a.m. with Mud Run registration and The World’s Only Oyster Shell Sculpture Contest and SCEA silent auction. There are amateur oyster shucking competitions, Mr. Krabby’s Kid Pond, oyster shuffleboard, mud volleyball and muddy tug-o-war. The kid’s beach will be open throughout the day where kids can try their hand building a fairy house. Crab races will be ongoing all day.
 Shellacious Bivalve Bash fare begins at 11 a.m. and includes oysters, steamed clams, bbq’d or curried mussels, bbq’d salmon, hot dogs, corn on the cob and raspberry shortcake. There is also a beer garden. Live music will be provided by The Atlantics, a Bellingham band, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
For a complete list of festival activities, schedule of events and menu go to www.bivalvebash.com.
The only parking available at the festival site is for daytime bicycle parking. For free car parking, follow the signs going north and south on Chuckanut Drive. Shuttle buses, will leave every 15-20 minutes; one with handicapped accessibility. Note: no pets and no coolers are allowed at the festival site.
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