The Rotary Club of Annapolis is gearing up for its 67th annual Crab Feast scheduled for Friday, August 3, 2012, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. This special event is not only the world's largest crab feast but also a major fund-raiser which benefits local community and cultural organizations.
The feast is all-you-can-eat and drink, including large and #1 male crabs (the big ones) plus Maryland vegetable crab soup, sweet Maryland corn on the cob, beef barbeque sandwiches, all-American hot dogs, draft beer, and assorted sodas and water. A bake sale and cake raffle can finish your feast with sweetness. Also for sale will be Crab Feast T-shirts and the Annapolis Rotary Club's own Crab Feast Mania Cookbook containing more than 240 crab recipes.
Nearly 2,500 people are expected to attend and finish off 478 bushels of crabs, 3,400 ears of corn, 130 gallons of crab soup, 1,800 hot dogs, 150 pounds of beef barbeque, and hundreds of gallons of soft drinks and beer. The event will be held rain or shine, as most of the tables are protected from the weather.
An excellent way to entertain special clients and guests or to recognize the hard work of loyal employees is the Preferred Dining area. Participants can use a private entrance, and enjoy guaranteed seating in one of the Preferred Dining tents and a wait staff that will ing the crabs to their table. Tables of 10 or 12 are available, as well as individual seating. Contact Pam Urnowey at 850-619-1645 or pamela.urnowey@homeinstead.com for information about Preferred Dining. For sponsorships, contact Mary Clare Holder at 410-271-5781 or mdnativemch@gmail.com.
Parking for the crab feast at the stadium is free. No containers, drinks, backpacks, large bags, coolers or similar items will be allowed into the event.
While it is an all-you-can-eat affair, and you can take all you want, please eat all you take. If you have more crabs than you need, please share with a neighbor. This will reduce waste and help preserve a precious natural resource, said Crab Feast chairman Dave Cordle.
Annapolis Rotary members pay all their own administrative costs for the operations of the club, so all funds raised are donated to local charities. Last year's crab feast is contributing more than $70,000 directly to local charities and non-profit groups. More than $1 million has been awarded since the first Annapolis Rotary Crab Feast in 1946.
Tickets are $60 for adults, $20 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children under age 3. Preferred Dining (“Reserved VIP Dining” on the ticket website) is $120 per person. To purchase tickets visit www.annapolistickets.com, or call 1-877-333-9667 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For ticket questions, please email Annapolis@showare.com. All online and telephone sales will end at noon on July 29, 2012. Tickets will go on sale at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium box office starting at 4 p.m. on the day of the event, for $75.
