The second annual Kilmarnock Crab Festival is May 19-20, as festival organizers say they hope to build on the success of last year’s event. The two day affair will take place in downtown Kilmarnock, along the Augusta Street area. It will feature many of last year’s activities.

“We plan to have another crab pot decorating contest, which was a big hit last year,” said Kilmarnock businessman Shawn Donahue. “The crab pot is, after all, sort of the symbol of crabbing in the Chesapeake.”

“Most people don’t realize that the crab pot was invented in the Northern Neck,” Shawn added. “A gentleman in Northumberland County, Benjamin Franklin Lewis, invented it in 1928.”

The Crab Festival was launched last year as a way to showcase downtown Kilmarnock and focus public attention on the Chesapeake Bay crab, which has meant so much to the Northern Neck over the years. Attendees have fun while learning something about the Chesapeake Bay crab.

There will also be a crab soup cook-off among Kilmarnock restaurants, to determine who makes the tastiest soup. Shawn says final details are still being worked out.

“We may set it up so that the public can go from restaurant to restaurant, trying a sample of the soup. They’ll have a ballot and will choose the best. That’s one of the scenarios we’re considering,” he said.

Once again there will be a crab picking contest, to see who can pick the meat from the most crabs in the shortest time.

“This can actually be a team competition. We’d like different businesses to sponsor one person in their organization, and let them represent everyone else,” Shawn said.

Last year’s inaugural festival, organized on short notice, was a surprise hit, surprising even to Shawn who came up with the idea. A special crab festival poster, designed by Heathsville graphic artist Mike Antonio, quickly sold out. Crab festival coffee mugs sold out the first day. And the festival drew a large crowd. Shawn has even higher expectations this year.

“Mike has designed another poster and we’ll do the coffee mugs again. We’ve been contacted by vendors throughout Virginia, and at least one from West Virginia, who want to take part this year,” he said.

There will be an unveiling party for the crab festival poster May 4 at Kilmarnock Antique Gallery.

New events this year will include the Riverfest Children’s Parade, and a trolley that will carry people between the crab festival and another special event.
“We’re working with the Lancaster High School Band Boosters, who will be holding their carnival the same days. That gives people even more to do that weekend – attend the band’s carnival and the crab festival.”

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