I remember attending the Maryland Seafood Festival years ago and being disappointed at the food offerings from the participating restaurants. Other than the usual and always delicious steamed crabs, most of the other offerings were of the deep fried variety and very pedestrian. I’m glad to say that all of that has changed for the better…
I attended the event this year and was pleasantly surprised at how much the event has evolved into something the area can really be proud of. I must say that the entrance fee seemed a little pricey ($16.37 per person) compared to other similar events, especially since that will only get you into the event and does not include any food or drink. Parking is also limited, so if you are driving over to Sandy Point State Park, where the event is held every year and make sure to go early and take plenty of cash. There was discounted pricing for senior citizens and active military ($11.24) and free for kids 12 and under. The online purchase of VIP ticket ($55 individual/$100 couple) almost seemed a better deal and included entry into the event along with access to the beverage tent (beer, wine, soda & water) set up next to the main stage where an assortment of bands played throughout the weekend including the fan favorite 80’s band, The Reagan Years. It also included complimentary parking and exclusive restrooms set up for the event.
When you get there, you will also be charged $5 per person in the vehicle to park, so keep that in mind too. A great little shuttle was also available throughout the weekend during the hours of the event which is a huge plus. The shuttle departed from Anne Arundel Community College, but the festival website did not state exactly where the shuttle picked up guests. I had to call Campus security to find out the details, so this may be something that they should clarify on their website in the future. As it turns out, it picked up at parking lot H, right off Ritchie Hwy and Campus Drive, which was very convenient.
In previous years, you would purchase tickets for the food and then give them to the different vendors as payment when you ordered your food, but this year it was cash only with some vendors accepting credit cards. Each year, different food vendors participate in the event, and with all of the great seafood restaurants in the area I was surprised that more of them were not in attendance. But when it came to the Crab Soup Cook Off competition, some of the more well know enterprises in the area, like Cantler’s Riverside Inn, chose to participate after a brief hiatus from the event. For years, the cook off has been the highlight of the festival offering bragging rights for the best soups and making local headlines for area businesses. The categories for the competition each year are: traditional cream of crab, vegetable soups and alternative recipes. A panel of six judges chose the winners in the three categories, and the people’s choice award is decided by the festival attendees. This year’s winners were:
People’s choice
Alternative:
1. PassionFish, Reston, Va.
2. Skipper’s Pier, Deale, MD
3. Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, Stevensville, MD
Vegetable crab:
1. Riderwood Catering, Silver Spring, MD
2. Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, Stevensville, MD
3. The Manor Tavern, Monkton, MD
Cream of crab:
1. Ports of Call, Annapolis, MD
2. Riderwood Catering, Riderwood, MD
3. Bella Napoli, Pasadena, MD
Judge’s choice
Alternative:
1. PassionFish, Reston, VA
2. Buddy’s Crabs and Ribs, Annapolis, MD
3. Oceanaire Seafood Room, Baltimore, MD
Vegetable crab:
1. The Manor Tavern, Monkton, MD
2. Riderwood Catering, Riderwood, MD
3. Chesapeake Bay Beach Club (Stevensville, MD) and M&M Catering (Linthicum, MD)
Cream of crab:
1. Ports of Call, Doubletree Annapolis, MD
2. Federal House Bar & Grille, Annapolis, MD
3. Charlestown Catering, Catonsville, MD
I’m glad to say that the festival has evolved into something more for families with the variety of events that have been added. This year, the attractions for the kids included a snakehead and invasive species exhibit sponsored by the Department of natural Resources (DNR), a horseshoe crab exhibit, a Fishmobile and touch tanks sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Trust Foundation and the Crabs For Kids Foundation. These events help the kids to learn more about wildlife and their environment in addition to helping support these great organizations that give back to the community. There was also an improved Kids Zone with a bounce house, crab painting and a crab derby.
For the adults, this year included some new events with a professional volleyball demo right on the beach, some BMX hijinks from a huge platform that was set up for the event, craft beer and oyster tasting and a new wine row that featured many local Maryland wines. As always, there was great music throughout the event, chef demos and a crab picking contest to separate out the pros from the amateurs.
The event draws 20,000-25,000 people every year, so make sure to dress comfortably because it is an outdoor event that takes place on a grassy and sandy field. There are tents with tables and chairs where you can sit to enjoy your meals and take a break from the sun – but it is crowded. The weather this weekend was perfect in every way but the event does go on rain or shine, so make sure to come prepared. The turnout this weekend proved that this is still one of Maryland’s favorite events and that it continues to highlight our beautiful bay and fabulous seafood.
The event is always held the first weekend after Labor Day, so for more information on future event dates and additional information, please visit their website.
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