Where crustaceans and charity meet

By Nate Gartrell

Thirty-five years ago, a small group of community organizers and local business owners unwittingly altered the course of history in the East Bay’s Delta-adjacent city of Pittsburg. Their goal was simple: to put together a modest festival that celebrated seafood and music from around the country in a way that paid tribute to Pittsburg’s diverse history. They planned for a couple of hundred people to turn out; instead, they were overwhelmed by a huge crowd of thousands of folks from all over the Bay Area and beyond. From there, the Pittsburg Seafood Festival became a cornerstone of the city, its “can’t miss” event of the year.

“We all know that this is one of the biggest events in the city. We all get to enjoy the great food, the great music, and entertainment,” then-Pittsburg Councilman Jelani Killings, who has since become the Vice-Mayor, said at a public meeting last year. “I encourage everybody to get their tickets early.”

Since its foundation in 1984, Pittsburg Seafood Festivals have cumulatively brought in hundreds of thousands of people—including internationally-known musical acts—and even more lobsters, crabs, crawfish, catfish, alligator bites, and more, and helped raise lots of money for charitable events in the process. It is by far the biggest festival in Contra Costa County and many call it the staple celebration of the East Bay. Last year’s festival brought in upwards of 20,000 people for the two-day festival, which is why the event’s organizers recommend that you plan out your trip well in advance.

This year, the Pittsburg Seafood Festival will take place on September 7-8, the very first weekend of the month.

“Since (1984), it has grown to become one of Contra Costa County’s largest family events and is now recognized as one of the best festivals in Northern California,” the festival’s website says.

The festival is sponsored by the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, with some funding provided by the city, and security provided by the Pittsburg Police Department. (Since 1972, Pittsburg has helped fund Chamber of Commerce events and other programs.)

For whatever reason, anniversaries that end in a five or a zero tend to garner the most attention, and with that in mind, the Chamber of Commerce says it “has big plans to making this 35th Annual Pittsburg Seafood & Music Festival even more special.” Unfortunately, at the time of publication, the festival’s musical lineup was not available. But last year’s festival was headlined by the iconic singer Sheila E., known for her Grammy-nominated 1984 album, The Glamorous Life, as well as collaborations with Prince, Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock, and Lionel Richie, to name a few. The lineup also included Caravanserai, the Santana tribute band, as well as more than 20 other thrilling singers and bands who showcased a diverse range of sounds, performing throughout both days on three stages. So, you know, these guys know how to book an act.

Food at the festival is intended to bolster the Pacific fishing industry’s North Coast (which encompasses the Bay Area to Oregon), but many of the festival’s signature items read off like a checklist for a vacation in New Orleans.

“We carefully screen all vendors so as to offer the best variety available at any festival. Visit the Pittsburg Seafood & Music Festival this year and we know you won’t go away hungry or thirsty,” the festival’s website says. “From delicious seafood gumbos, clam chowders, BBQ oysters, steamed muscles, good ol’ craw-fish boils, lobster rolls, Jambalaya to alligator-on-a-stick, calamari, and shrimp creole —all are available for you to sample during the Festival.”

They will have also have a beer garden with football games broadcasting on giant TVs, located near the main stage, with a nice view of the Delta, as well as a wine pavilion with live DJs and dancing, and a “Margaritaville” area that the festival’s website says will offer, “a fun fiesta experience with tons of Latin flare fun, dancing show horses, live salsa music and entertainment, folkloric costume dance performances, and much more!”

Last year, more than 200 vendors set up shop at the festival, including food along with arts and crafts. The organizers try to switch things up from one year to the next, in part so that attendees can try a variety of seafood and BBQ, but also because the Bay Area has more to offer than you can fit into two days. At the time of publication, the Chamber of Commerce was still accepting applications for folks interested in setting up booths. Applications are open to entertainment acts, non-profits, and businesses, as well as food, art, and arts and crafts, and can be filled out by visiting pittsburgseafoodandmusicfestival.com/vendors.

Tickets are $15 at the gate, $12 for kids, and $10 for military veterans, law enforcement officers, and firefighters. Kids 5 years old and younger get in free. But a number of early bird sales are also being offered (a July sale offering tickets from $8-10 just ended). Until the end of August (or the first 10,000 tickets sold, whichever comes first), bundle packs of four, five, and six will be offered for what comes out to $10 per ticket. There is also a business pack, encouraged for employers who want to treat the folks who work for them, which offers a dozen tickets for $99.

It’s not just about seafood, art, and music, either. Within the festival is an entire carnival for the kids, with “super thrilling bungee jumper, wild and wacky water-ballers, a rock climbing wall, pony rides, an adorable petting zoo, whimsical face painting and so much more entertainment for our younger guests,” the festival’s website says.

It wouldn’t be right for a Pittsburg festival not to include some kind of tribute to the Delta, which is known for houseboat parties and a culture of water sports, including some of the best winds in the world, according to multiple professional kiteboarders. This year, there will be jet ski races by Diablo Jet Ski Action, as well as stunt performances of jet skis and kiteboarding. Paddleboard lessons will be available at the nearby Pittsburg Marina.

The Chamber of Commerce also uses the festival to partner with more than 40 important local charity groups, and over the years the festival has helped raise more than $750,000 towards causes that help the community.

This year offers all-free parking options, as well as free shuttles that will show up at set locations every 15 minutes to transport festival-goers. Those who arrive by car are encouraged to park at Los Medanos College Lots A, B, and C. The college campus is located at 2700 East Leland Road. Shuttles will pick up passengers from those three lots.

If you arrive by BART, regular shuttle service is offered at Pittsburg’s BART station, 2099 Railroad Avenue. However, there will be no festival parking here, unless you want to risk getting a ticket.

The Pittsburg Seafood Festival will last from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. It is located near Old Town Pittsburg by Marina Boulevard. No animals are allowed, other than service animals with paperwork, and no outside alcohol. Tickets went on sale Aug. 1, and can be purchased at pittsburgseafoodandmusicfestival.com. If you purchase tickets online, make sure to remember to print them out and have them ready.

For additional information, including ticket-related questions, call the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce at (925) 432-7301. You can also follow them on Facebook for regular updates, by visiting: facebook.com/PittsburgSeafoodFestival. To become a sponsor, which includes participation in special acts, and high visibility at the festival (among other perks) visit pittsburgseafoodandmusicfestival.com/become-a-sponsor.

Nate Gartrell grew up in Benicia, studied journalism in college, and has written for a handful of media outlets since age 15. He aspires to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums and to hit the trifecta at the horse track.