The 28th Annual St. Mary’s County Crab Festival started off soggy and ended in the sunshine. The event Saturday at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds started off slowly as the heavy rain pounded the fairgrounds but then the weather turned for the better and the crowds came to enjoy the great food and the many events at the Leonardtown Lions Club-sponsored festival.
The festival featured hourly crab races for the first time. Spectators could bet on one of six crabs, who at times showed their crabby nature by not cooperating. A little bit of hosing down was used to urge them on.
There also was a crab picking contest, and celebrities were seen participating such as County Commissioner Francis “Jack” Russell (who as a waterman shouldn’t have had much trouble) and Commissioner Todd Morgan (who as a landlubber may have had heavy fingers).
There also were children’s activities in the old auditorium. Miss Teen Maryland Hannah Brewer was on hand to help with the activities and she also helped with the crab races.
The Southbound Band and the 25th Hour Band performed on the stage overlooking the picnic area, so you could have music with your crabs (or crabs with your music).
In addition to steamed crabs, there were crab cakes, crab balls, soft-shell crabs and crab soup to sate your crustacean urgings. And for the so-inclined there were non-crab food offerings. Catering was by Bailey’s Catering, Belles of St. Mary’s Ice Cream (everybody knows crabs and ice cream are the dynamic duo), Copsey’s Seafood, Sandgates Inn, Bear Creek BBQ, Scrumptious Entrees, Lexington park Lions Club and Ridge Lions Club.
The buildings were filled with arts and crafts vendors with items for sale. And Frank Trossbach had his John Deere toy collection in one building and a petting zoo of cows, pigs and miniature horses for the kids to enjoy.
Proceeds from the St. Mary’s County Crab Festival are used for charitable purposes.
