COOL TUNES AND HOT CRABS

Blue Crab Festival

Festivals are important to a community’s life. They are steeped in tradition, as Americana as apple pie, and bring neighbors and visitors alike together. There is something about the Blue Crab Festival that sets it apart from others, some intangible factor that makes it a favorite. Perhaps it’s the ambiance of the Little River waterfront, rife with majestic live oak trees. Perhaps it’s the festival organizers who work all year to ensure a successful event. Perhaps it’s the variety and quality of the art, crafts, and food vendors. Perhaps it’s the outstanding entertainment. Perhaps it’s the phenomenal children’s area. Perhaps it’s the reasonable prices. Perhaps it’s the strength of the community itself. Probably it’s the combination of all these factors!

This year, the crowds were noticeably larger. Some estimate that Saturday alone brought over 20,000 people to the quaint fishing village. The beautiful weather certainly enhanced the atmosphere. “Excuse me” was often heard as folks, maneuvering the scene, bumped into one another.

Beach music, another strong regional tradition, brought crowds to the tent site in droves.

Favorite artists The Fantastic Shakers, Craig Woolard Band, Coastline, Sea Cruz, Donny and Susan Trexler, Hitchhikers, and 8 year-old Gabbie Rae charmed the mobs. Grandparents were seen dancing with their grandchildren, tykes with other tykes, as well as couples shagging…oh yes, it was a festive affair!

Pre-festival activities included a 5K run, fishing tournament, festival queen pageant, and motorcycle poker run.

The Blue Crab Festival has donated over $102,000 in the past few years to the local community to help civic and other charitable groups provide services that enhance the lives of many citizens. Craig Hill, executive committee member of the Blue Crab Festival, is thrilled with the growing success of the popular festival. “The Blue Crab Festival is one of the southeast’s most successful events. Between Bike Week (the festival is biker-friendly) and our own faithful followers, we blew the doors down this year,” he exclaimed.

If you’ve never attended this festival, mark your calendar for next year (weekend after Mother’s Day) and treat yourself! One simply has to experience it first-hand to understand how special the Blue Crab Festival is!