The Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce’s 27th annual Seagull Calling Festival is set for May 24, at the Port Orchard Waterfront Marina Park as part of the Kitsap Harbor Festival weekend.
Festivities include the highly anticipated “Seagull Wings Cook-off,” where hundreds of “seagull” wings are served up by both amateur and commercial contestants hoping to win bragging rights for their wing recipes, and the “Seagull Calling Contest” for visitors and locals alike.
Judges will sample, deliberate and announce “Whose Wings Reign Supreme!” for first, second and third place in two categories: amateurs (home cooks and grillers) and commercial (restaurants, caterers, other commercial kitchens).
Cook-off preparation is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and judging from 12-1 p.m.
After the contest, wings will be distributed to the public for a donation of $1 a wing and attendees confer by vote the People’s Choice Award.
Wings are available for sale at 1 p.m., immediately after announcement of the judges’ awards.
Potential competitors can call 360-876-3505 or email office@portorchard.com for further details.
At 2 p.m., the annual Seagull Calling Contest takes place. Registration begins at 1 p.m. Contestants as individuals or in groups, some in costumes, will take turns calling seagulls on the beach to win awards by mimicking a seagull call and beckoning the birds with tortillas, French fries, bread, or other local confections.
Awards are given for the “Best Seagull Call,” “Most Seagulls Landed,” “Best Costume” and other awards as judges see fit.
There is no cost to participate in the contest and previous winners are encouraged to compete to retain their titles.
Other activities in Port Orchard include the Fathoms o’ Fun Pirate Rendezvous Craft and Vendor Fair (held all weekend), the second annual Seagull Splat 5K Run, Port Orchard Farmers Market on Saturday, a beer garden and a variety of other events across the water in Bremerton for the Kitsap Harbor Festival.
For more information, go online to www.portorchard.com or call 360-876-3505.
