It’s that time of year again!
The Rotary Club of Annapolis is gearing up for its 65th annual Crab Feast scheduled for Friday, Aug. 6, 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 event will be held rain or shine, as most of the tables are protected from the elements. 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 the VIP entrance, and enjoy guaranteed seating in one of the Preferred Dining tents and a wait staff that will bring the crabs to them. Tables of 10 or 12 are available. Contact Bea Carson at 410-353-4722 or [email protected] for information. The order form can be downloaded from http://www.annapolisrotary.com/2010CrabFeastSponsorship.pdf.
Parking for the crab feast at the stadium is free. Enter the stadium lot via Gate 2 on Farragut Avenue or Gate 6 on Taylor Avenue and park on the West (Gold) side of the stadium. All other parking areas are paid or reserved parking. Stadium entry is via Gates 2 and 6. No containers, drinks, backpacks, large bags, coolers or like items may be taken in to the event.
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 barbecue sandwiches, all-American hot dogs, draft beer and assorted sodas and water. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream will be
donating proceeds from discounted ice cream at the event. 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 very own crab Feast Mania cookbook. It contains more than 240 crab recipes in this its 11th printing. The cookbook is $14 plus $4.95 shipping and handling. Call 410-763-9393 or e-mail Lowell Becker at [email protected] for information.
While it is an all-you-can-eat affair, so 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. While the situation in the Gulf of Mexico is of concern, the club has been assured by its crab supplier that crabs will be available and abundant, said crab feast chairman Eric Edstrom.
Nearly 3,000 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 beer barbecue, and hundreds of gallons of soft drinks and beer. The hot dogs and barbecue are all donated by Adam’s the Place for Ribs.
Annapolis Rotary members pay all their own administrative costs for the operation of the club, so 100% of all funds raised are donated to local charities. Last year’s crab feast donated $70,000 directly to local charities and non-profit groups. More than $1 million has been awarded since the first Annapolis Rotary Club Crab Feast held in 1946.
Tickets can be purchased the at stadium box office at 4 p.m. Aug. 6. Tickets also can be bought online through zooptix at http://www.annapolisrotary.com/crabfeastTix_2009.asp. Tickets are $60 for adults, $20 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children under age 6. For more information on purchasing tickets, contact Tara Dulaney of zooptix at (877) 333-9667.
