Taylor Shellfish hosts annual Samish Bay Bivalve Bash

Here’s mud in your eye, or if you’re competitive, mud in the eye of the folks stumbling through the muck behind you. Plan to get slimed with shoreline goo at the sixth annual Samish Bay Bivalve Bash and Low Tide Mud Run, hosted July 19 at Taylor Shellfish Farms at 2182 Chuckanut Drive, about halfway between Bow and Bellingham.

The Mud Run — 250 difficult yards for the adults, 100 yards for kids ages 8 through 12 — is just one of the offerings at the event, hosted to benefit clean water awareness programs. Patrons will also enjoy the shell sculpture contest, face painting, oyster shuffle board, Mr. Krabby’s kid pond, a beer garden and food booths, a silent auction, and a performance by the band The Atlantics from 1:30-4:30 p.m. The gates open at 10 a.m.

Admission is $5, free to children six and younger and Mud Run participants. Except for bicyclists, all parking is off site. Patrons are invited to park at Blanchard Chapel at 3685 Legg Road, and Edison School at 5801 Main St., with shuttle buses running about every 15 to 20 minutes until 6 p.m. No pets or coolers are allowed.

The Mud Run for kids is staged at 11:45 a.m., for the adults at 12:23 p.m. Last year, 184 took the forward plunge.

Race director Kate McDermott has never tackled the Mud Run, but says participants report the course is like wet cement. “People who are serious runners say they thought they would be lapping people,’’ she says. Instead, “they say it’s the hardest run they’ve ever had,’’ she adds.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in the four categories: men, women, boys and girls. Every participant receives a golden oyster award on a red, white and blue ribbon. Afterward, participants are provided with hoses and a place to change clothes.

Taylor Shellfish Farms is a prime spot for about 20 environmental and conservation groups to offer information. “Puget Sound is a wonderful resource and Samish Bay is a magnificently beautiful spot,’’ McDermott says.

For the first time, advance tickets can be purchased beginning July 1 at Haggen stores. For more information, call (360) 767-6002 or visit the Web site http://www.taylorshellfishfarms.com.