Anything that involves Dungeness crabs gets me excited, and since we can't go crabbing in Puget Sound until early July, this should soothe your crab fix.

How about partying with the Pacific Northwest's most prized crustaceans at the Westport Crab Races, Feed and Derby held April 18-19.

This fun festive event is hosted by the Westport/Grayland Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Dungeness Crab Fishermen's Association.

The event will feature the world class Dungeness crab races and people can test their crab-catching skills in a derby, along with food, live music and much more. Admission is $2.

Also for a $3 entry fee people can pick a favorite crab and coach it to see which crab can make it down the chute to the finish line the fastest. Racing starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Details: 800-345-6223 or the Westport/Grayland Chamber Web site.

Just a reminder that the sport crabbing season is currently open on the coast now through Sept. 15 for pot gear, and open year-round to other methods. So bring along a pot to throw off a dock in the marina or the jetty. The daily limit is six Dungeness crabs with a minimum size limit of six inches and only males may be kept.

(Photo courtesy of the Westport/Grayland Chamber of Commerce)