La Conner, Washington’s waterfront is about to smell like Dungeness crab and taste like local beer. This September, two new events are inviting visitors to eat and drink their way through the Skagit Valley harvest — and just a short trip from Victoria across the water, they’re an easy addition to a Pacific Northwest fall getaway.
Both events support Genuine Skagit Valley (GSV), a program built to grow awareness and appreciation of the region’s agricultural products and services. Together they offer a full weekend of Skagit Valley flavor: one built around a communal seafood boil, the other a celebration of local breweries, cideries, and the farmers and chefs who pair with them.
Skagit Tidewater Boil — Thursday, September 24
Presented by the Port of Skagit, the Tidewater Boil turns the La Conner waterfront into one long, shared table. Dungeness crab, spot prawns, Skagit-grown corn and potatoes, and andouille sausage are all cooked together and served family-style, with the dinner bell ringing at 6 p.m.
Guests crack crab, peel prawns, and pass corn and cornbread down the table as the meal unfolds along the water. Children are welcome, and beer and wine are available for purchase.
Genuine Skagit Valley Marketing Manager Blake Van Roekel described the appeal simply: it’s a chance to taste the work of local farmers and fishermen in a single meal, right where it was grown and caught.
Details:
- When: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 5:30–8:30 p.m. (dinner bell at 6 p.m.)
- Where: La Conner Marina, 613 N 2nd St., La Conner, WA 98257
- Tickets: Early Bird $65 (through August 31, while supplies last) / Regular $75 / Children under 2 free
- Tickets & info: genuineskagitvalley.com/skagit-tidewater-boil
Skagit Farm to Pint FEST — Saturday, September 26 (21+)
Two days later, the marina shifts gears for an afternoon of local brews and bites. Farm to Pint FEST pairs Skagit-area breweries, cideries, and kombucha makers with local chefs, bakers, and producers, matching each pour with a dish made from ingredients grown nearby.
Past pairings have included Anacortes Brewery with a smoked salmon fennel chowder, Bastion Brewing Co. with cherrywood-smoked brisket and fresh-hop onion soup, and Chuckanut Brewery with triple berry baby pies — a preview of the kind of creative matchups festival-goers can expect. This year’s edition adds Band of Eden to the main stage lineup along with a homebrew competition, giving one local brewer the chance to see their recipe go from home kitchen to commercial production. Seas the Day Traveling Oyster Bar will also be on-site shucking fresh Swinomish Shellfish oysters to order.
VIP ticket holders get access to the marina’s rooftop deck, with views over the La Conner channel, the Rainbow Bridge, and the festival below.
As Van Roekel put it, the invitation is simple — come hungry, eat what the valley is producing right now, have a drink, and enjoy the view.
Details:
- When: Saturday, September 26, 2026 — VIP admission 1–5:30 p.m., General admission 2–5:30 p.m.
- Where: La Conner Marina, 613 N 2nd St., La Conner, WA 98257
- Tickets: Early Bird (through August 31) $60 GA / $95 VIP (limited) / Regular $75 GA / $110 VIP
- Tickets & info: genuineskagitvalley.com/skagit-farm-to-pint-fest
- 21+ only, valid ID required, outdoors rain or shine, no refunds
Make It a Weekend
With both events happening at the same marina just two days apart, organizers are encouraging visitors to turn it into a getaway. La Conner Channel Lodge and The La Conner Inn are offering 10% off multi-night stays from September 24–27 with the code FARMTOPINT. Travelers arriving by boat or RV will find overnight moorage and 60 full-amenity RV sites right at the marina.
For Victoria-area readers looking for a fall weekend away, La Conner sits within easy reach via the Anacortes ferry or a drive down through the San Juan Islands corridor — making this a straightforward way to pair a Pacific Northwest food trip with a short cross-border escape.