Chowder & More Application

Welcome to Musselfest, March 6–7, 2027!

This application is for restaurants and food businesses interested in participating in the Musselfest Chowder & More Passport. Participants may choose from several ways to be involved, including serving Mussel Chowder and participating in the Chowder Contest, providing chowder to be served at the Chowder Hall, or offering another food item as part of the Passport experience.

This is an electronic agreement. By submitting an application to participate in the Musselfest Chowder & More Passport, you acknowledge that you have reviewed, understand, and agree to the participation requirements outlined in this application.

Musselfest 2027 Chowder & More Passport Terms and Conditions

The following Terms and Conditions apply to all restaurants, food businesses, and other approved entities (“Participants”) participating in the Musselfest 2027 Chowder & More Passport, organized by the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association (CHWA), to be held Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7, 2027, in Coupeville, Washington.

1. Eligibility and Application
Participation is limited up to 12 Participants.
All applications are subject to review and approval by CHWA.
Participants may select one of the approved participation options outlined below.
CHWA will confirm participation details, serving locations, quantities, and any additional logistical requirements with each approved Participant.

2. Participation Options
Approved Participants may participate in one of the following ways (limited availability for each option):

Option 1 – Serve Mussel Chowder at Your Establishment + Chowder Contest
Serve 2 oz. Mussel Chowder tastings from your restaurant or approved location on Saturday and Sunday (10 gallons each day). Participants selecting this option will be entered into the official Musselfest Chowder Contest. Mussels will be provided by CHWA/Penn Cove Shellfish.

Option 2 – Provide Chowder for the Chowder Hall + Chowder Contest
Provide approximately 10 gallons of Mussel Chowder on Saturday and 10 gallons on Sunday for service at the Musselfest Chowder Hall. Chowder will be served by Musselfest volunteers and identified with the participating restaurant's name. Participants selecting this option will be entered into the official Musselfest Chowder Contest. Mussels will be provided by CHWA/Penn Cove Shellfish.

Option 3 – Serve Another Mussel Food Item from Your Establishment
Serve a food item incorporating mussels that is not Mussel Chowder. This option is part of the Chowder & More Passport but is not entered into the Chowder Contest. Mussels will be provided by CHWA/Penn Cove Shellfish.

Option 4 – Provide Another Mussel Food Item for the Chowder & More Hall Prepare and provide a food item incorporating mussels that is not Mussel Chowder. This option is part of the Chowder & More Passport but is not entered into the Chowder Contest. Mussels will be provided by CHWA/Penn Cove Shellfish.

Option 5 – Serve a no Mussel Food Item from Your Establishment
Provide a Passport food tasting served directly from your restaurant or approved establishment.

Option 6 – Provide a no Mussel Food Item for the Chowder & More Hall
Prepare and provide a Passport food item to be distributed from the Chowder Hall by Musselfest volunteers. The food item will be identified with the participating restaurant's name.

All participants should plan for approximately 700 servings on Saturday and 700 servings on Sunday.

3. Mussels and Festival-Provided Supplies
Mussels for approved mussel-based Passport items will be supplied by Penn Cove Shellfish and coordinated through CHWA. Mussels are generally delivered to Participants approximately 5 days prior to the event. Participants receiving mussels are required to retain all identifying shellfish tags in accordance with applicable health regulations.

CHWA will provide appropriate tasting cups, spoons, napkins, and ladles for Passport service.

Festival-provided mussels and serving supplies are intended for approved Chowder & More Passport servings only.

Participants are responsible for the safe storage, handling, preparation, and transportation of all food they prepare.

4. Serving Quantities and Availability
Participants agree to prepare sufficient food for the participation option selected and to make reasonable efforts to provide Passport servings throughout the designated tasting period.

Final quantities, delivery times, serving schedules, and locations will be communicated by CHWA prior to the event.

Food provided for the Chowder Hall must arrive prepared and ready for service in accordance with instructions provided by CHWA and applicable food safety requirements.

5. Chowder & More Hall
The Chowder & More Hall is designed to provide an additional way for restaurants to participate without requiring them to operate a separate tasting location during the festival.

Approved chowder and food items will be delivered to the designated Chowder Hall location.

Musselfest volunteers will distribute approved Passport servings.

Each item will be identified with the participating restaurant's name.

Participants are responsible for preparing and delivering their food according to the schedule and instructions provided by CHWA.

CHWA will provide the standard Passport tasting service supplies.

6. Serving from Your Establishment or Assigned Location
Participants serving Passport items from their own establishment are responsible for providing the staffing and equipment necessary to safely prepare and serve their food.

If CHWA assigns a Participant an outdoor festival location, the Participant may be responsible for providing appropriate equipment including tents, weights, tables, heating equipment, water, electricity, or other service equipment as communicated by CHWA.

This is an outdoor festival, and Participants using outdoor service locations should prepare for varying weather conditions.

7. Additional Food Sales
Participation in the Chowder & More Passport does not prevent restaurants from selling additional food or beverages through their regular business operations.

Any food sold outside of the Passport program is separate from the Passport tasting and is the responsibility of the Participant, including ingredients, serving supplies, staffing, permits, and associated costs.

Festival-provided mussels and Passport supplies may not be used for additional individual sales unless specifically approved by CHWA.

8. Chowder Contest, Judging, and Prizes
Only Participants selecting Option 1 or Option 2 will be entered into the official Musselfest Chowder Contest.

CHWA will establish the final judging and/or voting process for the 2027 Chowder Contest and will provide contest Participants with details prior to the festival.

Contest winners will receive recognition, including cash prizes and trophies, as determined by CHWA.

CHWA reserves the right to establish contest procedures designed to create a positive and fair experience for participating restaurants and festival attendees.

9. In-Kind Sponsorship Recognition
Each approved Chowder & More Passport Participant will be recognized as an in-kind Musselfest sponsor at the Steward of Coupeville level and will receive the associated recognition and benefits.

$1,000–$2,499

Recognition on website
Logo on website
Social media acknowledgment
Event visibility (Musselfest brochure, Chowder & More Passport, Banner at event location & Listing at Chowder & More Hall)
Advanced access to Musselfest tickets

10. Permits and Compliance
Participants are responsible for obtaining any permits, licenses, food worker cards, or approvals required for their specific method of food preparation and service.

Participants must comply with all applicable Town of Coupeville, Island County Public Health, and Washington State food safety requirements.

Participants are responsible for maintaining safe food temperatures and proper food handling practices throughout preparation, transportation, and service.
CHWA reserves the right to discontinue service of any food item that does not meet applicable health, safety, or festival requirements.

11. Liability
Participation is at the Participant's own risk.

Participants are responsible for their own employees, volunteers, equipment, food preparation, transportation, and operations.

CHWA is not responsible for loss, theft, damage, injury, improper food handling, or claims arising from a Participant's preparation, transportation, or service of food, except as otherwise required by law.

12. Agreement
By submitting an application and participating in the Musselfest 2027 Chowder & More Passport, Participants acknowledge that they have reviewed and agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions, along with any additional event instructions provided by CHWA.

Submission of the electronic application constitutes acceptance of this agreement.