Whalefest Monterey stars a whale skeleton, abalone races on April 12-13

For whale enthusiasts there s one must-attend event in Northern California every year Whalefest Monterey taking place over two days with more fun stuff than you can shake a barnacle-covered flipper at Related Articles Juvenile minke whale beached off Emeryville Tuesday Bob the Minke Whale discovered dead after week in California harbor Commercial Dungeness crab season closing in Monterey Bay Researchers investigate death of gray whale discovered on Bay Area beach Watch Bob the minke whale lost for fourth day in California harbor The th annual Whalefest on Monterey s historic waterfront on the weekend of April - has something for serious marine buffs other things for foodies and then plain goofy events like the Racing of the Live Abalones A weekend symposium gathers world-renowned scientists to discuss whale migration the problems of entanglement shark behavior and plankton There s a calamari cooking demonstration squid being a favorite whale food source and wharf walks where people get the chance to spot otters and dolphins Then there s live music interactive marine exhibits sea-themed crafts like scrimshaw and gyotaku the traditional Japanese method of printing fish and the opportunity to tour research and rescue vessels Also this year is a -foot real whale skeleton attendees can assemble and a life-sized inflatable humpback whale model you can walk inside Now that s a whale of a good time Details Festival runs a m - p m on April - at the Custom House Plaza and Old Fisherman s Wharf Monterey free admission whalefest org