Each winter on the Ilwaco waterfront, a striking symbol of coastal life rises above the harbor—the Crab Pot Tree. Built from stacked steel crab pots and wrapped in glowing lights, this unique “tree” has become one of the Long Beach Peninsula’s most beloved holiday traditions. More than seasonal décor, it stands as a tribute to the crab industry, the working waterfront, and the fishermen who risk their lives at sea. The crab pot tree lighting ceremony is this Saturday, 12/6/25 5 pm. Fun starts at 4 in Ilwaco WA.
The tradition began simply and authentically. Instead of pine branches and ornaments, fishermen and port workers used the tools of their trade—real crab pots—to shape a Christmas tree that reflected Ilwaco’s true identity. Over time, the lighting of the Crab Pot Tree grew into a community celebration. Families gather along the docks, children watch the lights flicker on, and the harbor glows with reflections from rain-soaked planks, masts, and water.
At the center of this tradition is the Dungeness crab industry, one of the most important economic drivers in Pacific County. Each season, commercial crab vessels from Ilwaco and Chinook bring in millions of pounds of crab valued in the tens of millions of dollars. That income supports far more than fishermen alone—it sustains processors, fuel docks, ice plants, truckers, marine mechanics, seafood markets, and local restaurants. For many families, the success of the crab season determines their financial survival for the entire year.
Yet crabbing is also one of the most dangerous professions in America. Winter storms, freezing spray, massive steel gear, and long exhaustion-filled shifts make every trip a serious risk. For families onshore, the holidays are often filled with both celebration and worry, as loved ones work dangerous waters. The Crab Pot Tree quietly honors that reality. Each glowing trap represents not just a harvest tool—but a life, a family, and a season of risk.
The lighting ceremony has become a powerful community moment. Fishermen, retirees, kids, visitors, and working families stand side by side on the docks. In a world where many waterfronts have shifted away from working harbors toward tourism-only economies, Ilwaco’s Crab Pot Tree makes a different statement:
This is still a fishing town.
The tree also reflects the future of the industry. Washington’s Dungeness crab fishery is one of the most regulated and sustainable in the world, helping ensure the resource remains strong for future generations. The Crab Pot Tree reminds the community that coastal economies and healthy oceans are inseparable.
Long after the lights go dark, the meaning remains. The Crab Pot Tree is not just a holiday display—it is a living monument to Pacific County’s fishing heritage, a symbol of resilience, and a tribute to the dedicated fishermen who keep this community alive.
Every winter, when those lights shine over the harbor, they shine for the fishermen, the families, and the enduring legacy of the Pacific County crab fleet.
Surfside Washington News 