FAQ


Frequently asked questions for the Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival.
(Updated 02/22/2023)

Will the festival be held in person in 2023? 

Yes, we are planning for a live, in-person festival April 28-30, 2023 at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds in Astoria, Oregon.

What COVID-19 precautions should we be prepared for?

The Festival (all employees, vendors, volunteers, attendees and contractors) will adhere to appropriate health guidelines and protocol at the time of the event to address outbreaks such as COVID-19 or other highly-transmissible illnesses. Guidelines will be determined by the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, based on guidance from local and state health agencies and the CDC, to ensure both exhibitor and attendee confidence to attend, safety and community wellbeing.

Please review our health and safety plan on this website for more information.

How much is admission and what’s included with it?

Admission pricing varies and will be listed in the right-hand column of our website. Sunday continues to be our discount day, with entry price reduced compared to Friday or Saturday.

Your admission fee gets you in the door of the festival. Each vendor inside sets their own pricing for food, alcohol, artwork, etc. We do have several ATMs on site and some vendors accept credit cards, but bringing cash is advised. We recommend bringing small bills if you’re planning to do wine or beer tasting.
We have two stages with musical entertainment all weekend.

Where and when can I purchase admission tickets?

Get your tickets online, in advance through Afton Tickets, using the link in the right column of this site. Purchasing online provides you with a discounted rate.

Admission ticketing for the festival done at the main entrance to the fairgrounds building will also be available. Even with four doors and a team of hardworking volunteers, expect short lines during peak festival hours.

What are the festival hours?

The festival schedule is different each day and hours are listed in the right-hand column of our website.

Where is the festival?

The Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival is located at the Clatsop County Fair & Expo Center on Highway 202 about 4 miles from the junction of Highway 101 in Astoria. The physical address is 92937 Walluski Loop in Astoria.

Is there a shuttle to the festival?

Yes! We offer a shuttle bus service that stops at numerous locations in Astoria and the neighboring community of Warrenton. The shuttle typically costs $3 per person, round trip. We ask that you bring exact fare in cash. You can expect delays during peak festival times, so plan ahead and leave extra travel time. Shuttle bus service is limited on Sunday.

We provide a list of shuttle stops on this page. Most hotels and campgrounds in Astoria and Warrenton are serviced in addition to park and ride lots.

Can I park my car at the fairgrounds?

Sometimes, yes. Parking at the fairgrounds, which is $20 per car, is extremely limited. The parking lot is cash only, so plan ahead! The lot does reach capacity during peak festival hours, and cars will be turned away at those times.

We recommend utilizing our handy shuttle service (only a small fee per person, round trip!) instead of your personal vehicle. RV and/or trailer parking is NOT available at the festival due to the size of the parking lot.

Handicap parking is available at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds, but this space is also limited. Disabled parking spaces are available to those with a handicap placard in the general parking area at the event. There is an accessible shuttle to assist those attendees to get from the parking lot to the festival building. The shuttles on the routes around town are not all equipped with handicap lifts.

Are there other transportation options, from communities other than Astoria and Warrenton?

We sometimes have local businesses that provide shuttles/rides to the festival from other communities, such as Seaside. They are listed on this page below the festival shuttle and parking information.

Can I bring my pet with me?

No. The Clatsop County Fair & Expo Center is an animal-free facility during this event. Sorry, pets are not allowed. Service animals are trained working animals, NOT pets. Oregon law prohibits all animals except for service animals in grocery stores, restaurants and other food establishments.

Where can I purchase a festival souvenir, like the annual wine glass that many people collect?

The Official Festival Store is located just inside the main entrance of the arena building and offers souvenirs from the festival including wine glass, coffee mug, shirts, hats and more. 

The festival merchandise is available year-round at the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center at 111 W. Marine Drive in Astoria. Looking for a wine glass from a recent year – we might have it! A limited selection of these items are available in our online store, too.

Can I bring my own wine glass to the festival?

Yes! Feel free to BYOWG (bring your own wine glass) for enjoying tastes and glasses of wine. Or purchase a glass at the event from the official Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood and Wine Festival store or one of the vendors. Your glass must be empty when entering and leaving the festival.

If I buy a case of wine or other large purchase, what do I do with it?

There is a wine and parcel check service and pick-up booth next to the Festival Info Booth in the Exhibit Hall. Festival patrons can check their cases of alcohol (or other large purchases) with participating alcohol vendors or take it to the pick-up booth itself. Just be sure to pick up your item before you leave the festival!

You are not allowed to open bottles of wine or other alcohol at the event.

Can I bring a bag to carry my purchases?

If you don’t feel like utilizing the wine/coat check, you’re more than welcome to bring a bag, backpack or tote to carry your items and purchases. You can also purchase wine totes and other bags from several of our vendors.

What if I lose or leave behind an item, purchase, etc.? Do you have “Lost & Found”?

If you lose something while at the festival, please head to our information booth to provide us with a description of the item and your contact information. That way, if we find your item during or after the festival, we can contact you directly. If the festival is over before you realize you’re missing something, please give us a call at our office. The number is listed at the bottom of this page. Any items left unclaimed after June 30, 2022, will be donated.

Am I allowed to bring my own alcohol to the event?

No outside alcohol is allowed at the event or on the event shuttle buses. You may bring sealed bottled water with you.

You are also not allowed to open any bottles of wine or other alcohol you purchase at the festival.

How do I learn what wines won medals in the wine competition?

Check out the Wine Competition Page on our website.

How much does the crab dinner cost and what does it include? When is it served?

The crab dinner served at the Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood and Wine Festival is offered by the Astoria Rotary Club. Fresh Dungeness crab dinners — whole or half crabs at market price — include a couple of sides.

Projected prices: $40 for whole crab dinner and $20 for half crab dinner, but market dictates final price. It’s the Rotary’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and the proceeds go to scholarships and other projects.

The crab dinners, served in the Exhibit Hall, are available during all festival hours, unless supplies run out. Cash only!

What other seafood is available at the festival?

Other seafood items at our festival are numerous and varied. Common seafood offerings include: fish dumplings, dill Dijon crab pastry pockets, lemon dill salmon pastry pockets, fish & chips, shrimp boat, crab cakes, smoked oysters, smoked razor clams, spiced prawns, crab cocktails, shrimp cocktails, chowder, crab and shrimp melt bread, crab and shrimp rangoons, crab mac and cheese, lobster fries, tuna and clam fritters, Caesar salad with smoked salmon, whiskey crab soup and rockfish tortas.

These different seafood options are provided by various vendors and may change from year-to-year.

Will there be vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free food options at your event?

Yes, some of our food vendors will be selling vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food options. Please inquire with the individual food vendors directly.

What musicians or bands are performing at the festival this year? Can I perform at the festival?

Check out the performer schedule in the printed festival guide at the event. The entertainment schedule will be posted online later this spring.

Bands and musicians interested in performing at the festival can email the Event Coordinator for more information.

Can I smoke or vape at the festival?

No. The Clatsop County Fair & Expo Center is a no-smoking, no-vaping facility. No outside intoxicants allowed.

Where can I get a copy of the printed Festival Guide?

The printed Festival Guide will be available at the front entrance, as well as many area restaurants and hotels the week before the event. The festival guide includes a directory of vendors, festival layout, entertainment schedule, shuttle information and more. Click the link in the right sidebar to view it online.

Are there activities for kids at the festival?

While all ages are welcome to attend our event, we do not provide designated activities for children.

What if I lose sight of my child during the event?

Occasionally, a child will get separated from their parent/guardian during the festival. If this happens to your child, please come immediately to the Festival Info Booth, located in the Exhibit Hall next to the Music Stage. If you cannot find your way, ask a festival volunteer (wearing a bright yellow or orange vest) stationed at the main entrance or one of the building’s emergency exits to point you in the right direction. The festival staff will coordinate the search from the Festival Info Booth.

May I bring a stroller for my young kids?

Strollers are permitted, but you should be aware that you may be presented with challenges when navigating through the huge crowds. We encourage families with young kids to attend the festival on Sunday, when crowds are smaller.

I’m bringing a tour bus full of people. What should I do before we arrive?

Please call ahead! Tour bus parking is limited at the event, so advance notice helps us plan for your arrival. We can also arrange some ways to streamline your guests’ experience at our festival.

I’m a member of the media. How do I get a press pass for this event?

Please email our Marketing Manager, at least a week prior to the event. This will leave enough time for us to coordinate your arrival, answer any questions you might have and get a press pass ready for you.

Where should we stay if we are visiting from out of town?

Check out our tourism site, www.TravelAstoria.com, for information on hotels, motels and campgrounds, as well as additional information about the area.

When will the festival be next year?

We plan the festival for the last full weekend in April each year, unless it overlaps with Easter.
We expect to be on the following schedule – 
April 28-30, 2023
April 26-28, 2024
April 25-27, 2025

Have a question that’s not answered here?

Email the Event Coordinator or call (503) 325-6311.