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Charleston celebrates its fishing village heritage and the bounty of the Pacific Ocean at the 22nd Annual Charleston Seafood Festival on August 13-14, 2011. Everyone is invited to join in the celebration at the Charleston Marina.

Charleston Volunteer Firefighters Association members will kick off each day with their traditional pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Charleston Fire Station on Cape Arago Highway.

Seafood Festival activities are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Charleston Marina.

Dozens of arts, crafts and food vendors are expected to participate. The festival attracts Oregon and Northwest vendors and artisans, who specialize in hand-made woodwork, glass art and ceramics, photography, clothing and much more.

The festival stage will feature live entertainment Saturday and Sunday, with music from country to jazz, including performances by the South Coast Lab Band Evolution, belly dancers and Native American drummers. Children can play in contests, at a trout fishing pond and on inflatable structures.

Vendors and fish markets also will provide seafood snacks and treats, and there will be a beer and wine garden area. The U.S. Coast Guard facility will be open to visitors, who also are encouraged to explore the docks.

The Charleston Seafood Festival is sponsored by the Charleston Fire Department Volunteer Association and the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay (owner/operator of the Charleston Marina). Community volunteers from the Charleston Merchants Association, the Charleston Community Enhancement Corporation and the Charleston Visitor Information Center also help promote the event and coordinate the festivities.