Daniel Jefferson Harris was born in 1833 on Long Island, New York. He came to this area in May of 1854. He combined homesteading with trading in the Puget Sound area. He was in trouble with the law on several occasions, and even jailed, but he never served a prison term. He had some good friends that always bailed him out. He was a very ambitious young man and single-handedly built a road from Sehome to Lake Whatcom. Because he seldom bathed they began calling him "Dirty Dan". He always wanted a town on his land so he filed the plat for the Town of Fairhaven in 1883. He began selling lots shortly after that. He also spent several years in California where he acquired at least 8 pieces of local real estate, including a lot in downtown Los Angeles and Redondo Beach. However, in our area he is considered the founder of Fairhaven and we celebrate this with "Dirty Dan Harris Days". Several events take place over the weekend, and today we are at the "Chowder Cook Off".
Jennie is sampling one of the chowders. To participate in the "Cook Off" you buy a ticket for $10.00. You then get a lanyard to wear around your neck and this lets you get a sample of each of the chowders. There were 17 restaurants represented this year. After you have finished sampling you choose your favorite, visit the Avenue Bread booth to get a big bowl and bread.
Jennie's favorite, and mine, was the Whiskey Crab Chowder from The Shrimp Shack. We went to their booth, gave them our lanyards, which was our vote for their chowder, and they filled our bowls. By now we were pretty full from the sampling, so we took our chowder home for later. Here is Jennie's chowder with Rosemary bread.
Throughout the day different groups entertain on the Village Green stage. Here we have the Gallus Brothers. 
Mike, Jerad, Will and Ron have all chosen their favorite chowders. Looks like Will and Ron have finished theirs and Mike and Jerad are taking theirs home for later.
And here I am with a Dirty Dan Harris look alike. Just another part of the festivities.
