For all of the shark fans in Corvallis, Big Fish Fest is an event dedicated to our apex predators.
Hosted by PRAx and the Big Fish Lab, the event will take place on Aug. 23 from 5-8 p.m. at the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts, with admission costs ranging from $22 for general adult admission, $10 for Oregon State University alumni, $5 for current students and free admission for children.
Those interested in this event can buy their tickets online via the PRAx website or on social media through the account @bigfish_lab. Though folks are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, they can also be purchased at the door on the day of the event.
A live dissection of a shark will begin at 7 p.m. accompanied by improvised jazz at the Lynne Hallstrom Detrick Concert Hall. There will also be live music from the Portland soul-funk band Outer Orbit at the event.
This event was planned for August since the summer is the most active time of year for shark sightings and reports.
“PRAx is a very interesting collaborator. This is the first event we’ve done with them and we’re really excited about that. The interplay between art and nature is something that our group is really interested in,” said Alexandra McInturf, PhD research associate at the Big Fish Lab at OSU.
According to McInturf, all proceeds from this event will go towards funding for shark research.
The Big Fish Lab is an OSU research program based out of Hatfield on the coast of Newport, Oregon which primarily focuses on the research of large ocean wildlife, especially sharks.
“The Big Fish Lab was started in 2019 … and we’re really trying to establish ourselves as the (primary) shark research program in Oregon. That helps us a lot because it allows us to get in contact with people on the beach who may see sharks washed up or people on the water who can tell us where the sharks are and what kinds they’re seeing, which helps us in targeting our work,” McInturf said.
The event also offers academic opportunities at the Big Fish Lab.
“If it is something that students are interested in pursuing, this is a great networking opportunity,” McInturf said. “I would love to see some students there … and frankly that is how some of our interns got involved, just by showing up to these sorts of events.”
