Long Beach’s original Razor Clam Festival, held in April 1940, featured the world’s largest frying pan, a colossal clam dig and handcrafted batches of chowder.
Families flocked to the Peninsula for a weekend of fritters and fun; clouds of steam pouring off the giant frying pan wafted over festivalgoers; “Bathing Clam Beauties” in “clam-kinis” soon joined the festivities.
Skip ahead 78 years and, thankfully, not much has changed!
Long Beach’s annual Razor Clam Festival is a beachside blast where clam digs kick off the mornings and cook-offs and concerts carry the afternoons.
The 2018 Razor Clam Festival is April 21 in downtown Long Beach, so get ready to dig into some fun!
Razor Clam Revival
After taking a 70-year break, the Razor Clam Festival returned to fantastic fanfare. Clam fans will experience everything that made the original festival a coastal classic and what makes the contemporary event a Pacific Northwest favorite! Anyone wondering what to do with their harvested razor clams should swing by the Visitors Bureau in Seaview for recipe ideas.
This year’s festival features longtime activities like the clam fritter cook-off, the clam-chowder taste off, and an amateur chowder competition. Other events include North Jetty Brewing’s beer garden, street entertainment in downtown Long Beach, and a number of cool clam contests. Free clam-digging and clam-cleaning lessons are also part of the fun!
Anyone in need of clam gear should visit the Dennis Company between 9 am and 1 pm when the store hosts vendors and manufacturer representatives. Stop by for samples, drawings, and prizes, including goodies from other downtown Long Beach merchants.
Pirates and mermaids will also be part of the celebration. Visit them on Saturday between 12 pm and 5 pm at Veterans Memorial Park. Join the mermaids for an afternoon of face painting, stories, and singing.