Texas Crab Festival

Texas Crab Festival to be featured on QVC-TV

QVC-DavidFor the month of June, David Venable is hosting a virtual road trip across America “visiting” food festivals that have been nominated by his viewers. Each show (every Sunday & Wednesday) he will feature a different food festival and will use that food festival’s featured ingredient in his show specific recipe. On Wednesday, June 15, David will be inspired by the Texas Crab Festival to create his

Dive into the Fun of the Texas Crab Festival

The Texas Crab Festival kicked off the 2016 season with great weather and an opening ceremony highlighted by skydivers overhead flying a huge American flag. Visitors were greeted to a weekend of family fun that included over 75 booths featuring local businesses, arts & crafts, great festival food and lots and lots of CRABS! A production crew was on site filming the festival for a web program to air this summer, as well as an event cam streaming all the action live!

Visitors enjoyed great Gulf Coast Music all weekend long with crowd favorite Wayne Toups headlining Friday’s festivities and country music legend Mark Chesnutt drawing record crowds on Saturday night. Bill and JoAnn Ackley were even lucky enough to win a guitar autographed by Mark Chesnutt himself. Saturday night’s Donnie Vondra Memorial Two-Step Dance contest saw Mark and Patti Roznavak take the win.

This year’s events and contests saw a record number of entries as participants battled for Texas Crab Festival bragging rights. Over 250 runners (many in crab costumes) came out to take part in the Texas Crab Festival 5K/1K Run/Walk Saturday morning. 5K overall winner of the race was Justin Dodson. 1K overall winner was Logan Thrower. The Gumbo Cookoff had bigger-than-ever crowds coming out to taste the entries with Team Laissez Bon Temps Rouxler coming out on top. More than 100 entries were submitted by local children for the Texas Crab Festival Media Contest. Dottie DoLittle (with Laura Rojas of Galveston) beat out 27 other dogs to become the Wiener Dog Races champion. 44 Teams competed in the Washers Tournament with Team Ramrod taking the top spot. The Drifters battled it out against 15 other teams to win the Bean Bag Toss Tournament. Other winners included Harold LeBlanc of Crystal Beach who won the golf cart raffle.

Mother’s Day Weekend 2016 closed on another successful festival season, all thanks to the tireless efforts of over 250 volunteers and over 50 generous sponsors. The festival would not be possible without their continued support. And as always, all proceeds from the Texas Crab Festival go to fund scholarships, grants and programs that benefit the residents of the Bolivar Peninsula. Stay tuned to see what’s next – visit texascrabfestival.org or follow the latest news on Facebook at facebook.com/texascrabfestival.


Contest and Event Winners

Donnie Vondra Memorial Texas 2-Step Dance Contest, Winner: Mark and Patti Roznavak

Donnie Vondra Memorial Texas 2-Step Dance Contest
Winner: Mark and Patti Roznavak

5K Run - Overall Winner: Justin Dodson 1K - Overall Winner:  Logan Thrower

5K Run – Overall Winner: Justin Dodson
1K – Overall Winner: Logan Thrower

Wiener Dog Races Winner: Dottie DoLittle, owned by Laura Rojas

Wiener Dog Races
Winner: Dottie DoLittle, owned by Laura Rojas

Crab Gumbo Cookoff Winner: Laissez les bons temps rouxler

Crab Gumbo Cookoff
Winner: Laissez les bons temps rouxler

Crenshaw elementary students who won the Crabfest poster contest: Row 1 L-R: Sofia Tovar, Yaremy Herrera, Sol Gutierrez, Eduardo Rodriguez, Sarita Perez, Maddie Blume Row 2 L-R: Carol Guevara, Jada Browning, Cassidy Weber, Ivan Hernandez, Jiya Desai, Lillian Dailey Row 3 L-R:  Freddy Ortiz, Sophie Clark, Ryan McClelland

Crenshaw elementary students who won the Crabfest poster contest:
Row 1 L-R: Sofia Tovar, Yaremy Herrera, Sol Gutierrez, Eduardo Rodriguez, Sarita Perez, Maddie Blume
Row 2 L-R: Carol Guevara, Jada Browning, Cassidy Weber, Ivan Hernandez, Jiya Desai, Lillian Dailey
Row 3 L-R: Freddy Ortiz, Sophie Clark, Ryan McClelland

Crenshaw Middle School students who won the Photo Contest: Row 1 L-R: Julizza Vernon, Blake Walker, Sol Gutierrez, Ana Liz Castillo, Caroline Stallings Row 2 L-R: Dustie Walker, Hannah West, Gabriela Sanchez, Hannah Alexander Row 3 L-R Ameray Perez, Lacye Tedder, Gavin Barnett, Sarah Weeks, Jessica Ortiz, Sage Smith, Mackenzie Catching

Crenshaw Middle School students who won the Photo Contest:
Row 1 L-R: Julizza Vernon, Blake Walker, Sol Gutierrez, Ana Liz Castillo, Caroline Stallings
Row 2 L-R: Dustie Walker, Hannah West, Gabriela Sanchez, Hannah Alexander
Row 3 L-R Ameray Perez, Lacye Tedder, Gavin Barnett, Sarah Weeks, Jessica Ortiz, Sage Smith, Mackenzie Catching

Washers Tournament Winner: Team RAMROD

Washers Tournament
Winner: Team RAMROD

Bean Bag Toss Tourney Winner: THE DRIFTERS

Bean Bag Toss Tourney
Winner: THE DRIFTERS

Golf Cart Raffle Winner: Harold LeBlanc

Golf Cart Raffle
Winner: Harold LeBlanc

Mark Chesnutt autographed guitar Auction Winners: Bill and JoAnn Ackley

Mark Chesnutt autographed guitar
Auction Winners: Bill and JoAnn Ackley


Random shots from the 2016 TCF


Random shots from the 2016 TCF

TCF-2016

More to follow next week,
along with all the news and results from
the 2016 Texas Crab Festival.

2016 Texas Crab Festival – Bigger, Better, Tastier!

TCF_0503-0With an exciting music lineup, fun contests and events all weekend long, get ready to get down and get crabby Gulf Coast Style in Crystal Beach, Texas. The 2016 Annual Texas Crab Fest kicks off its 31st year with big flavor, big entertainment and big fun this Mother’s Day Weekend, Friday, May 6th – 8th, 2016. Enjoy a variety of fresh, unique crab and seafood dishes along with traditional

The first Crab Festival

This was a taken at the very first Crab Festival at Crystal Beach in 1985. Mayme Holloman Woods Frederick and J.W. Frederick were on the Chamber of Commerce, and we were in charge of the Dunking Booth. Hollee Woods was one of the first guinea pigs. Those were the days...this year marks the 31st anniversary. (photo: Kathy Woods-Yeary)

This was a taken at the very first Crab Festival at Crystal Beach in 1985. Mayme Holloman Woods Frederick and J.W. Frederick were on the Chamber of Commerce, and we were in charge of the Dunking Booth. Hollee Woods was one of the first guinea pigs. Those were the days…this year marks the 31st anniversary. (photo: Kathy Woods-Yeary)


TCF Shoutout to our Sponsors

tcfBy Jan Rocco
Just a few months ago, Marlene Mallet and I accepted the challenge to go out and gather sponsors for the 2016 Texas Crab Festival. We have had the best time and met some of the best people; now we are going to do it again for 2017, but are looking for two people to join us so we can “pass the torch” in 2018. We think that it will keep the

David Wonders returns to Texas Crab Festival Kid’s Stage

gishDavid Wonders, with his colorful and comical magic shows and iconic Bodacious Balloon Art that is often larger than the recipient; free of charge to Texas Crab Festival Guest. Adults need not be accompanied by a child to get a sculpture. David will challenge Children and adults alike with his Brain Games: riddles, conundrums and lateral thinking exercises for prizes, and ever popular pull string Piñatas. David reminds

2016 Texas Crab Festival – Bigger, Better, Tastier!

TCF_0We’ve been cooking up plans for a bigger, better 2016 festival filled with more Gulf Coast Style Music, Art and Crabs than ever before, and those plans are really starting to sizzle! We’re very proud to announce an exciting music lineup that includes crowd favorite Grammy-winning Zydecajun artist Wayne Toups on Friday night, with chart-topping Country music legend Mark Chesnutt headlining on

Turning the Tide for a Brighter Future

fair_00The first ever Opportunity Fair on Bolivar was a huge success. The Texas Crab Festival Charities sponsored event brought college representatives, industry and military professionals, and county and state agencies to Crenshaw School on Saturday to present a variety of educational, employment, and career opportunities. The Fair attracted over forty Bolivar residents of all ages. Participants were

Cooking Up Big Plans for the 2016 Texas Crab Festival

TCF16_0The Texas Crab Festival committee is busy cooking up plans for a 2016 festival filled with more Gulf Coast style Music, Art and Crabs than ever before! With the success of the big 30th anniversary celebration last year the bar has been raised. The Texas Crab Festival earned the title of one of the “Top 10 Food Festivals to Dive Into” from USA Today, and was featured on both the Food Network’s “Eating America”

The 2015 30th Annual Texas Crab Festival Welcomed Record Crowds

tcf0As the sun dipped into Galveston Bay on May 10, it set on a record-breaking year for the Texas Crab Festival. An estimated 8,000 visitors, 250 volunteers and 60 generous sponsors were on board to celebrate the festival’s 30th year, drawn by beautiful sunshine, warm gulf winds and the promise of a weekend filled with music, art and crabs. For many, the Crab Fest is like an extended family reunion,

Folks traveled near and far

TCF-survey_0No doubt about it – folks travel from near and far to experience the infamous Texas Crab Festival. This year we had many special visitors to the Peninsula. Some locals from Crystal Beach invited their friends from Hico, Texas; a small town in central Texas with a population nearing 1400 – “Where Everybody is Somebody!” Another couple from the Woodlands found out about the TCF from the

Jeepers at the Crab Festival

TCF-jeeps0By Brenda McDonald
Crystal Beach Jeepers was honored to exhibit a few jeeps at the Texas Crab Festival, and demonstrate STACKING. Staged by Mike Cameron and the South Coast Jeepers out of Kemah. Shawna Welch, a Crystal Beach Jeeper, was included in the Stacking. Jeepers were Debby Ward, Shawna Welch, Sheila Prisco, Brenda McDonald,

Poster Children

patrickI guess it was the weekend before the Crab Festival, when Sid and I were up at The Big Store selling raffle tickets for the Six-Seater Golf Cart, when this young man and his gorgeous girlfriend stopped to ask what we were doing. We told them about the 30th Annual Texas Crab Festival coming up in just one week, and that the golf cart would be raffled off on Mother’s Day. SO EXCITED, Patrick announced

What a lovely couple

willowThe Moorhouse’s from Lorena, Texas. They were vendors at our Texas Crab Festival this year. Iron Willow is the name of their shop in Canton. On Sunday, I purchased my pink dolphin, who I promptly named Pinkie. She will be hanging from the ceiling in my house soon. As I was strolling the grounds on Monday morning just to see what vendors I still had left, Kelly and her husband were busy

Bing, Bang, Boom!!

TCF_0The 2015 Texas Crab Festival is this weekend!!
Surprise the wife, load up the kids, call the grandparents and inlaws!! You don’t want to miss this major gathering of…Music, Art & Crabs, Gulf Coast Style. This weekend May 8-10 2015, Mothers Day Weekend, Live Music, Crabs Boiled and Fried, Gumbo Cook-off, Wiener Dog Races, 5K Run and 1K Walk on a Timed and Certified Course,

Don’t Miss This!

TCF
This is your last chance to be an honored “bannered” Texas Crab Festival sponsor. Texas Crab Festival Sponsorship Opportunities still available. There are a few openings remaining for sponsors, let the Crab Festival promote your business and know that all funds raised go back into out great community.

 

Crab Gumbo Cook-Off takes center stage at the Texas Crab Festival

gumbo_0There are a lot of reasons folks make plans to attend the Texas Crab Festival year after year after year – the great music, the multitude of fun events, carnival rides, craft booths, games and contests. But, it’s the food that’s the real star of the show, with the annual Crab Gumbo Cook-Off taking center stage. The Crab Gumbo Cook-Off has been a part of the Texas Crab Festival for most of its

TCF Golf for Scholarships

golf_00Dabney Harrison pulled it together again for the Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. With 36 players and 9 teams, the Texas Crab Festival Golf Tournament teed off on Saturday, November 8th, promptly at 9am. As the team golf carts wheeled around the golf course, the beverage carts kept up a steady pace, Gray and Terri on one side of the course with Bloody Marys and Tom and Georgia with Mimosas

Kickoff Meeting for 2015 Texas Crab Festival

TCF-0Texas Crab Festival would like to invite everyone to a 2015 Crab Fest Kickoff Meeting. The Texas Crab Festival will be celebrating 30 Years of Art, Music and Crabs in 2015, and needs your help to make this the biggest, most exciting and fun festival yet. Vendors, sponsors, volunteers and fresh ideas are all needed to make it happen. The Kickoff starts Friday, October 17th at 6:00pm at Stingaree Down Under, located at 1295 Stingaree Road in Crystal Beach, Texas.

We Need Your Help….

TCF_help…In gathering factual and interesting information about the 30-year history of the exciting Texas Crab Festival. If you participated early on, remember a truly dynamic performance, or found a food you love over the years, share your thoughts and photographs. Please send ideas, information, or photos to [email protected]. You may also call Brenda to share your memories at 409-781-8788. We would

Crab Festival on “Carnival Eats”

The Texas Crab Festival will be featured on The Cooking Channel's "Carnival Eats" program, Thursday, October 9 at 9:30 pm CT. (232 on Direct TV, 113 on DISH). Noah savors a soft shell crab taco, coconut encrusted shrimp and gooey Grasshopper pie while enjoying the hospitality of Crystal Beach, Texas.

The Texas Crab Festival will be featured on The Cooking Channel’s “Carnival Eats” program, Thursday, October 9 at 9:30 pm CT. (232 on Direct TV, 113 on DISH). Noah savors a soft shell crab taco, coconut encrusted shrimp and gooey Grasshopper pie while enjoying the hospitality of Crystal Beach, Texas.

Texas Crab Festival Celebrates 30th Year

TCF-0Serving Up 30 Years of
Gulf Coast Style Music, Art and Crabs

Organizers of the annual Texas Crab Festival are already making plans for the May 2015 event, which will be a celebration of the festival’s 30th year. Every Mother’s Day weekend since 1985 festival-goers have headed to Crystal Beach, Texas to enjoy a taste of some of the finest

Crab Festival 30th Year Quilt

tshirt0The Crab Festival Committee is planning to make a commemorative quilt containing each of the T-shirt designs from the 1st to the 30th year of the Texas Crab Festival, and offer as a Silent Auction item at next year’s festival. Committee Chairperson Sid Jackson explains, “Our goal is to have it made from the actual t-shirts. I realize that we may not be able to come up with all of the t-shirts. Hopefully, we

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