Planning Ring Crabfest 2012

Beer + Crabs + Fellowship = Heaven!

So, I'm grateful I caught the delicious rumor going around:  Wegmans was doing a Crabfest! Yup, only one time a year, you make an order a week in advance and you too can pick up a bushel of steamy seasoned crabs, and have a fun crabfest at your home with friends.

Isn't this cute?  Ingredients to a fantastically fun and affordable crabfest are below.

If you're paying for the crabs, you want to skimp everywhere else!  This was probably one of the easiest events to throw...a main dish I didn't have to prepare and every other item was brought by the most generous of friends!  But what is the secret to planning for 18 adults and 13 kids?

First, you kick off your party at 4:30.  Adults have appetizers and cocktails upstairs.  Kids do this downstairs.

Next, you really want to set the mood.  It's easy to throw down brown paper and call it a day, but the guests feel loved when you put a little thought into it.  First, I needed to think about colors to be my jumping board.  I went to World Market and found these great napkins! $3.00   So then it was easy to create the rest of the tablescape.  First, find soup can tins (I save them for crafts) and put the seafood crackers and forks inside!

   

Also to set the theme, I found some lobster bibs also at World Market (sold in a set of four $1.99) to lay down as part of my tablescape.  I had three tables set with six people at each.  At Walmart, I found the silver butter tin cups (4 for $1) and also little plastic cups for old bay or vinegar (free from a vendor doing a tasting! Not kidding).

                                                           

           

To top off my purchases, I bought a bag of lemons and Old Bay! Then I stuck some beer from the pantry and some tabasco bottles, with a large paper towel roll at each table as more decoration.

     

Bed Bath and Beyond sells a seafood crab fork set for $14.99 but it's $11.00 with a coupon.  But it's the tin can with a napkin print taped around it and a homemade crab print with personalized label that made it super cute!  

 

And as if each table didn't feel enough love, each one got their own tent cards.  There was Kind of Crabby, Oh Crab!, and Crab Your Seats!  I thought of another one later:  Let's get Crackin'!  I put one couple together that knew each other and one that didn't.  It was a good formula!

 

Voila! You've got yourself a customized and affordable tablescape.

 

 

At the dollar store, I bought 4 medium plastic trays to put the crabs at each table, and then I put out 3 stainless bowls I owned for the crab receptacle.  By 5:30 guests start crackin'!  This crabby table looks crab-happy, don't they? 

Kids watched a movie while parents feasted on a dessert buffet.  Interestingly, from three tables---those that were still going strong with the crabs and beer, migrated together at one table.  It was mostly the men!   It was a great time.  Not bad for a spontaneous last-minute event!