Fans of those spiny petards of the ocean deep — either because of how tasty they are, or how weird-looking — will want to head up to this weekend or next for the third annual . The festival kicks off June 7 and runs through June 16 with nature walks, a harbor tour of fishing vessels and an “urchin ranch” and many restaurant specials, including one that pairs high-end Japanese whiskey with creamy uni. And this year — brace yourself — there’s also a concurrent event running called KelpFest, which “explores the beauty and benefits of our irreplaceable underwater ecosystem through art, education, food and film,” according to Visit Mendocino.
Purple sea urchins are ubiquitous off the coast of Northern California. When their numbers get out of control, they can pose a severe threat to kelp forests, which they love to munch. Otherwise, they can be a toothsome addition to all sorts of dishes from pasta to toast to sushi.
(Or a pain in your butt — sometimes literally — if you happen to bump into one in the water.) You can find all the details at , but here’s a short list of what’s going on from that site and . Note that while some events are free, others require tickets or fees: “Take a low-tide seaweed walk at MacKerricher State Park with Josie Iselin, Larry Knowles and Julie Drucker.
These artist-educators will share their knowledge and experience in seaweed gathering and give an in-depth understanding of the delicate intertidal ecosystem. Sign up for thi.
