Crusty critters like these are the star of the show at the annual Crab and Seafood Festival.

Nothing spells fun like whacking a perfectly cooked Dungeness crab with a stick thoughtfully provided for that purpose, mining its cracked shell for succulent morsels and then devouring them along with cole slaw and a baked potato on a paper plate.

That’s been the drill for a generation of festival-goers ever since the first Crab and Seafood Festival in 1982, when the Astoria Rotary Club began serving up the classic dish.

Held at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds, the Astoria & Warrenton Crab and Seafood Festival is put on by the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce. Fifty wine vendors, 50 food vendors and 70 craft artisans, selling mainly handmade creations, will set up booths at the festival, which attracted 20,000 visitors last year. Organizers expect at least as many to head for the popular festival this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 28 through 30.

And these days the Rotary’s crab dinner has plenty of competition from other vendors intent on titillating festival-goers’ tastebuds. Seafood melts – crab or shrimp topped with melted cheese on a hunk of crusty bread – purveyed by the Astoria Clowns are perennial favorites. Oysters from our neighbors across the Columbia River – in the form of “shooters” or hot off the barbecue grill and swimming in their smoky half-shells – draw crowds every year. Crab and shrimp cocktails, salmon (smoked, barbecued or in the form of pate), halibut, sturgeon and dozens of other denizens of the briny deep, are among the tempting seafood delicacies.

Festival-goers can sample artisan breads, gourmet sauces, spreads and dips, chowder, smoked fish, popcorn, nuts and fudge. For dessert, try candy, pie or ice cream. For those who prefer meat or fowl, there are skewered hunks of chicken teriyaki, as well as hamburgers, hot dogs, Polish sausage, gyros and stir fries. Wash it all down with a frosty fruit drink, pop, or a glass of beer or wine.

Crafts such as this painted wine glass will be displayed at the Fairgrounds arena. File photo by Lori Assa.The wines have a real Northwest flavor, with 98 percent of them emanating from Oregon wineries and the rest from Washington state. Wine enthusiasts can try some small samples, then choose a glass of their favorite vintage, and even quaff their vino from a wine glass embellished with the festival’s logo. And brew aficionados will enjoy an array of Oregon’s specialty hand-crafted beers.

Wine and beer add to the fun of the festival. However, Skip Hauke, the Chamber’s executive director, emphasizes the festival is a family-oriented, family-friendly event.

“The Astoria Crab Festival is used as a model by the OLCC (Oregon Liquor Control Commission),” Hauke says, with lots of activities for children.

There’s the popular Muriel’s Petting Zoo, and even a children’s tent, with child care available and stage shows on Saturday and Sunday. The 45-minute magic show by Seaside magician Stuart Beck in the children’s tent is fun for all ages. He presents two performances on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. and a Sunday performance at 1 p.m. Mother Goose, also known as Donna Krewson, is an award-winning family entertainer. She’ll be on the family tent stage at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. And Professor Nutz will be on hand on Sunday, with science experiments and demonstrations that leave kids laughing while they learn. His lab will be open all day Sunday, with demonstrations on stage at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Folks line up for shrimp and crab melts made by the Astoria Clowns. File photo by Lori Assa.Festival-goers of all ages will get a kick out of the Crab Races, presented by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Court. In each race, six eager crustaceans will be at the starting line, with fans cheering them on as they get ready to claw their way to the finish line. Luckily, the course is all downhill. The races are in the family tent from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday.

A few booths will be dispensing information instead of food, drinks and craft items. The U.S. Coast Guard booth will feature boating safety; the Relay for Life booth will give out information about cancer treatment and prevention. And there will also be a Rodeo/Fairgrounds booth.

Karyn Manor, left, and Melissa Stenblom, both of Astoria, man a wine booth at the 2005 Crab Festival.”It’s really been a team effort putting it together,” Hauke says, crediting staff and volunteers for their hard work on the Crab Festival, which is the Chamber’s biggest fundraiser. “This helps pay our wages and continue on with the duties and scope of work for the Chamber.”

Main Stage Entertainment:

Friday – 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. All Stars, featuring Kid Siegel

Richard Bourne of Seaside talks crab race strategy with grandson Bradley Rennock, 5, at last year’s Crab and Seafood Festival. File photo by Sandra Swain.Saturday – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jackson Andrews; 2 to 3:45 p.m. Chuck & Dave Show; 4 to 7:45 p.m. Papa Salty

Sunday – noon to 3:45 p.m. Salty Dogs

Entertainment in the Family Tent:

Saturday – Magician Stuart Beck, Tiny the Clown, Mother Goose, marble games, crab races

Sunday – Professor Nutz, Mother Goose, marble games

The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce has been serving up the Crab and Seafood Festival since 1982.Crab Races: Friday, 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.

Child care is provided by Gearhart Day Care at an hourly rate while parents attend the festival.