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The world's largest crab feast returns to Annapolis today. Here's what you need to know.
By E.B. Furgurson III
Capital Gazette |
Roll up your sleeves — if you've got any in this weather — and get cracking, it's crab feast time.
The 74th annual Annapolis Rotary Crab Feast at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium should attract over 2,500 crab gourmands on Aug. 2, keeping its reputation as the world's largest crab feast.
The best thing about the feast aside from the fellowship, hot crabs, corn on the cob, watermelon, BBQ, and plenty to wash it all down is the result: Good works. Proceeds from the event, some $58,000 last year, go to support local causes.
After all the years the event has become routine for the all-volunteer Rotary organizers.
"It is a well-oiled machine," said Frank Andracchi this year's Crab Feast chairman. "But every year something happens, and I am sure it will be the same this year."
Andracchi said the civic group is ready for anything in part because of the organization and years of experience. "I was an assistant Rotarian, volunteering for 15 years at the event. Then I retired and joined. And last year I was crab feast assistant chairman, which prepares you. We have that continuity, year in and year out."
It's a well-choreographed effort to get things ready. A plan designed by an architect guides the layout of some 2,400 seats and 430 tables. The set-up starts on Thursday and runs all day, then again Friday morning for last minute touches as the trucks and equipment arrive with all the food.
Over about three hours, guests will plow through 320 bushels of crabs, 3,400 ears of corn, 100 gallons of crab soup, over 200 pounds of barbecue, and hundreds of gallons of soft drinks and beer.
This year, Adam's Ribs will return to provide the barbecue, pork and beef, and hot dogs.
One new wrinkle this year is a silent auction set up between the general admission tables and preferred seating area. Sports memorabilia, tickets, and other items will be available for bid with proceed going to the Rotary's charitable efforts.
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This year marks the seventh year the event has been, well, close to zero waste.
The Rotary partnered up with Annapolis Green to make the event more environmentally responsible. Instead of up to 15 tons of waste going to the local dump most of the feast's detritus is composted or recycled.
The composting effort has been a great success especially with the use of compostable plates, trays, even utensils and cups.
"We are expecting to collect 15 tons of stuff this year," said Elvia Thompson, founder of Annapolis Green. "The end result is compost. We have it packaged and sold 313 bags of it last year. People love it, especially since they know where it comes from — our Rotary Crab Feast."
Since it's inception in 1946, the Rotary Crab Feast has raised over $1.5 million for local causes.
When you go
What: Annapolis Rotary 74th annual Crab Feast
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2
Tickets: Adults, $70 in advance $75 at the gate. Advance tickets are available until noon on Aug. 2. Children ages $3 to 12 are $25. Other options include reserved self-serve seats for groups of 10-12 for $80 a seat, advance only. Another choice is preferred dining with waiter service and separate entrance. For more information on preferred dining contact Pam Urnowey at 850-619-1645 or e-mail her at pamela.urnowey@homeinstead.com.
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Parking: On site at the stadium, 550 Rowe Blvd in Annapolis. Use exit 24 from Route 50.
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