WOODLAWN – There are crab feasts, and then there are crab feasts such as what’s offered at New All Saints in Liberty Heights.
Held in a ballroom at Martin’s West Aug. 18, the annual event featured more than 600 people enjoying all-you-can-eat crabs as well as games of chance, a variety of vendors and a dance floor that was hopping.
It’s one of the biggest annual crab feasts in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
“The Men’s Club does all this to help the church,” said James Massey, chairman of the feast.
The club’s 27 members start planning the feast in January, he said. Now in its 47th year, the feast is a well-oiled machine, but the members always listen to feedback, especially about food. While bushels and bushels of crabs are the main attraction, the feast also offers steamed shrimp, fried chicken, a hotdog bar, Maryland crab soup, shrimp creole, meatballs, a salad bar and a variety of desserts.
“It’s been going on for such a long time, and it’s such a memorable event,” said Adam Scott, Massey’s co-chairman. “We appreciate the people who support it. “
For the last 38 years, Jean Washington has been traveling from Pittsburgh to attend the feast, which is always held the third Sunday of August. She never travels alone, however. This year, she and 100 friends and family members arrived Friday on three coach buses to enjoy a weekend visiting family, flea markets, gambling and attending the crab feast.
“It’s a family affair,” said Tomi Wilson, Washington’s cousin, and a member of New All Saints.
Daryl Jenifer traveled from Philadelphia, along with 27 others, including his brother’s and sister’s families, to attend the feast.
“We do it every year,” said Jenifer, who has family in the area. “We still keep in touch with each other. My mom came in the ’90s.”
Though she is allergic to seafood, Oblate Sister of Providence Brenda Cherry always has a fun time at the feast, she said.
“The best part for me is watching the folks dancing,” she said, though she also enjoyed her meal of fried chicken.
While it was her first time at the feast, Nicole Clark’s daughter, Rheagan Wilson, 11, had been to it before, and had showed Clark the ropes.
“She knew the whole layout,” Clark said. “There is a variety of food. It’s nice.”
Also read: A lesson from the crab
Email Katie Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org
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