News Release 12-067
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W., P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, (360) 902-8500
Don Hoch, Director
Media contact:
Srey Ryser, (360) 902-8626
John Floberg, (206) 437-6086
Sandy Mealing, (360) 902-8559
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
Potlatch State Park plays host to ShellFest 2012
OLYMPIA –
July 16, 2012 –
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Washington State Parks Foundation invite the public to attend ShellFest 2012 at Potlatch State Park in Mason County.
ShellFest 2012 will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 4 at Potlatch State Park, 21020 North U.S. Highway 101 in Shelton. The event will feature fun for the whole family, including low-tide walks guided by local experts, maritime music by Hank Cramer and Mary Garvey, touch tanks, ice tables, children’s activities, craft booths, videos, special presentation featuring Native American culture presentation by the Skokomish Tribe and the storytelling by Delbert Miller of the Skokomish Tribe, and lunch provided by Washington’s shellfish growers. Lunch is free with donations going to benefit the Washington State Parks Foundation. Admission to the event is free. The Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to the event.
Additional event sponsors include the Department of Ecology, the Department of Health, the Skokomish Tribe, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Pacific Shellfish Growers Association (PCSGA), Taylor Shellfish, Washington Sea Grant, Washington BEACH Program and Washington State University-Mason County Extension. This first-time event is part of Governor Gregoire’s Washington Shellfish Initiative aimed at restoring and protecting shellfish beds in Puget Sound.
Shellfish have had a significant influence shaping Washington’s cultural and culinary identity. They continue to be an immensely important recreational, commercial and tribal resource, and their future depends on all of us doing our part to keep Puget Sound clean and healthy. Come learn more about Washington’s strong unique shellfish heritage.
Potlatch State Park is a 57-acre camping park with 5,700 feet of saltwater shoreline on Hood Canal. The park's beautiful grounds are home to a variety of activities, from interpretive programs for kids to boating and shellfish harvesting.
Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks. Share your favorite state park adventure on the new State Parks’ blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.
Washington State Parks Foundation is the only statewide independent non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and advocating for Washington's outstanding state parks. Please visit www.wspf.org or find them on Facebook.
The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 99-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov and www.wspf.org.
-30-
