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Shrimpfest time

13,000 pounds of shrimp caught for festival this weekend

Bacon wrapped shrimp is one of many ways festival goers can prepare the shrimp they buy at this weekend’s Shrimpfest in Brinnon. The festival is free for all active-duty and retired military members. Photo courtesy of Brinnon Shrimpfest

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Benjamin Buford Blue, otherwise known as Bubba to Forrest Gump fans, was right: "Shrimp is the fruit of the sea."

And Phil Thenstedt, organizer of ShrimpFest, says Bubba would love the festival this weekend in Brinnon.

The Hood Canal's famous spot shrimp will be star of the festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Yelvick General Store Field in Brinnon. Active-duty and retired military members get in free, as do kids 12 and under. Admission for the general public is $4 or $6 for a two-day pass.

"There isn't any bad way to cook shrimp," Thendstedt says. "What makes spot shrimp so special is that it's a sweeter tasting shrimp and it doesn't require a lot of seasoning. It melts in your mouth like lobster."

Several vendors will be at the festival offering creative and tasty recipes for shrimp-lovers to try, like lightly-smoked shrimp skewers and freshly-cooked shrimp served over a bed of Japanese-style soba noodles. On Sunday, there will also be the chance to taste local shrimp in paella, a Spanish rice and seafood dish that is slow-cooked in a pan over an open flame often seasoned with saffron and rosemary. Also on Sunday will be the belt sander races, which take place at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

And of course, there will be shrimp for festival goers to buy and take home to incorporate in their own culinary creations.

Last week marked the end to the short shrimping season. The Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlilfe allowed only four days of shrimping in May. During that time, local shrimpers caught more than 13,000 pounds of the crustaceans for the festival.

In addition to shrimp, there will also be booths with other local seafood, sandwiches and carnival goodies. There will also be arts, crafts, games and live music performances. A complete schedule of events can be found at www.brinnonshrimpfest.org.

If You Go:

What: Brinnon Shrimpfest

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Sunday

Where: Yelvik General Store Field, 303375 Highway 101 (3 miles north of downtown Brinnon)

Cost: Free for retired and active-duty military members and children 12 and under; $4 one-day pass or $6 two-day pass

For More Info: visit www.shrimpfest.org or call 360.796.4456

A shuttle will be available throughout the festival at Doesewallips State Park and Pleasant Harbor Marina.

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