Sooke CRABFEST 2025

Picture long tables laid out on the museum lawn, shaded by towering firs and overlooking the rugged Juan de Fuca waterfront. The menu? Locally caught Dungeness crab, half‑cobs of sweet corn, homemade coleslaw, and crusty bread—all served “long‑table style” and prepared onsite. A cash bar, run by the Sooke Community Association, offers beer, wine, and soft drinks.

An acoustic trio or solo artist sets the mood just steps from your place at the table, keeping things lively but respectful of museum ambience. With the sunlight softening as you dig in and the coastal breeze in the air, it’s proudly local, easygoing, and unmistakably West Coast.

Tickets don’t just cover your meal—they fund Triangle Island Lighthouse restoration, a striking iron-and-glass beacon relocated to the museum as a major fundraising project. Caption: “Restore glass panels so this historic First Order Fresnel lens keeps shining”. Nearby, Moss Cottage (1870) and the Forestry Path weave stories of First Nations trade trails, early settlers, and coastal innovation. Visitors receiving dinner-side interpretation from staff make this not just a feast, but a living history tableau.

The grounds stay open during daylight hours only, so if you plan to arrive early—or stay late before the 5 pm closure—explore the grounds at your leisure (and at your own pace):

• Indoor galleries showcase First Nations basketry, lumber-milling tools, maritime artefacts, and rotating exhibits—donations accepted for entry.
• Outdoor exhibits include the Triangle Island Lighthouse, Moss Cottage, the Donkey Engine yarder, and the Forestry Path signposts.
• The Gift Shop features local art, books—which make meaningful souvenirs if you’d like to continue Sooke storytelling at home