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Annapolis Gearing Up For Big Crab Feast

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- If you like steamed crabs, you'll want to be in Annapolis Friday. Final preparations are underway for a huge charity event.

Ron Matz has a preview of the world's largest crab feast.

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is the setting. Steamed crabs are the main attraction. The Rotary Club of Annapolis is ready for the world's largest crab feast. It's an Annapolis tradition, now in its 67th year.

"This is my third crab feast. I'm new to the area. The other big bonus about this is to watch people have fun. My first year watching the families, friends and everybody there at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium eating crabs and having fun and having a great time. You can't help but smile," said Jeff Neufeld, assistant chair of the Rotary Club of Annapolis Crab Feast.

About 2,500 people will be in attendance. They'll chow down on 40,000 crabs, 3,400 ears of corn, 130 gallons of crab soup, hot dogs and more.

"Tomorrow we'll open at 5 p.m. The feast goes from 5 til 8. The crabs will be ready to go and the people will come in and go for it. It's a good time, a great deal--$60 for all you can eat and they're number one males," said chairman of the crab feast, Dave Cordle. "We have a variety of different things. In addition to the crabs, we have barbecue, corn on the cob, crab soup. There will be a moon bounce and a dunk tank, and this year we have the watermelon queens from all over the East Coast and we'll be offering fresh watermelon," he said.

It's all you can eat, with proceeds going to local charities. Last year's crab feast raised $70,000.

"A lot of our Rotarians are military and are also parents of military serving right now, so that's an important element of our charity too. Some of our nonprofits help to support veterans that are coming back--the Lighthouse Shelter, Habitat for Humanity--that type of thing," said Rotary member Lee Scott. "I think this is such a part of our community. We support our local businesses and the Naval Academy is supporting us too by letting use their stadium."

Planning for the big crab feast starts months in advance, and more than 200 volunteers help make it happen.

"It is a massive job, but I tell you when the volunteers come out both from the Rotary Club and everyone that helps put this thing together, it's just a lot of fun. A lot of work, but a lot of fun, " said Neufeld.

Tickets are $60 for adults and $20 for children between the ages of 3 and 12. To buy yours, click here.

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