If you haven’t been to the Bivalve Bash at the Taylor Shellfish Farm on Samish Bay, you’re missing out on one of the best summer parties around. We went last year, but I didn’t do a post as my camera battery died halfway through. This year we took some shellfish-loving friends and a camera with a fresh battery and had a fabulous time.

We saw the kids’ Mud Run.

We toured the Oyster Shell Sculpture Contest.

Jon entered the Oyster Shucking Contest, and placed third (and got to keep a rather nice oyster knife). And the rest of us got to eat the oysters.

We ate Kumamotos, Shigokus and Pacifics, both raw and barbecued…

…and curried mussels from Xinh’s in Shelton (absolutely incredible, these are)…

…and steamed clams from the Rhododendron Cafe…

…and fry bread and beer and raspberry shortcake and more oysters, while sitting happily in a mix of sun and shade in the beer garden on a perfect summer day, listening to music and the shrieks of the people betting on the crab races.

The point of the Bivalve Bash isn’t just to soak in the sun, eat oysters and get muddy, although those are all great reasons to go. It’s meant to be an educational event promoting awareness of the importance of clean water and the ecology of shellfish-growing areas. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun at the same time.

I believe next year some of us are going to try for the Mud Run. Anyone care to join us?