Largest Crab Feast in the World Returns
By Barry Scher
It’s back! Often billed as the largest crab feast in the world, the 77th annual Rotary Club of Annapolis Crab Feast is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 5, come rain or shine, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The traditional format of the event took a hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic but the club did sell crabs-to-go. This year, the event returns to in-person dining.
Thousands are expected to attend the event, a well-orchestrated affair thanks to the many volunteers and hours of planning. Back on the menu will be Maryland’s infamous blue crabs, Maryland vegetable crab soup, sweet Maryland corn on the cob, barbeque sandwiches, all-American hot dogs, watermelon, draft beer and assorted soft drinks and water.
The annual crab feast is the largest of the chapter’s major fundraising events. The club directs 100 percent of the profits to local community and cultural nonprofit organizations by providing grants up to $4,000. The grant application process will begin in the fall. Non-profit area organizations may contact the club for additional details about applying for a grant. To date, the Annapolis Rotary Club’s crab feast has distributed over $950,000 to local organizations since 2005.
“We are excited about returning to an in-person event that will once again bring the Annapolis community together for a rich Maryland tradition and raise essential funding for local non-profit organizations,” said Rob Dews, president of the Annapolis Rotary Club. “Although we conduct a wide array of community service projects throughout the year, we believe the crab feast is a wonderful way to support other organizations in the multifaceted services they provide in our communities.”
Dews says over 2,500 people attend the event each year, and that “equates to a lot of mouths to feed.” He predicts roughly 320 bushels of steamed crabs, 3,400 ears of corn, 100 gallons of crab soup, 1,800 hot dogs, 150 pounds of beef barbeque, and hundreds of gallons of soft drinks and beer will be served.
Tickets must be purchased in advance (annapolisrotary.org/crabfeast). Ticket prices range from $25 for children (ages 3 to 12), and $90 per adult. Reserved seating and private dining is available and groups may also purchase tables so they may sit together. Online sales end at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4. Tickets can also be purchased at a number of area businesses.