Crab party set to break its shell
Published:Tuesday | May 25, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU: Crabs have been put on a diet of mangoes, cornmeal and watergrass, in readiness of being curried, garlic 'rundown', black bean and boiled on Saturday, May 29, at the annual 'Busha Crab Party' in Westmoreland.
Paired with boiled corn, dinner rolls and chef Bryan's conch soup and washed downed with 'Rude to you parents', the branded rum punch and the signature drink from the Clarke family tradition, the 500 patrons supporting this fund-raising event should expect to consume more than 300 dozen crabs on site at the historic Beach House, Paradise Park in Savanna-la-Mar, says the man behind the event, Busha Clarke.
For non-crab eaters, Clarke says he has included a limited amount of spare ribs and for the first time in the history of the calendar party - steamed fish. Also, for the first time, some 40 crab lovers will fly in from Grand Cayman, The Bahamas and the United States to share in the occasion.
successful
"I have no doubts that we will outdo the numbers of previous years," declares Clarke. Although a family tradition, Clarke gives proceeds from the successful event to the Rotary Club of Savanna-la-Mar each year. "We have a tree-planting 'Green Way' project on Great George's Street in the town of Savanna-la-Mar, which are maintained by the Rotary Club," he told The Gleaner.
He noted that there were no trees in the town, and the ones planted not only offer greenery, but shade to persons on the streets. According to him, a number of other Rotary projects benefit from the crabfest.
Tickets are now available at $3,500 per person presold and if available at the gate, $4,000. Outlets include Craft Cottage in Kingston, Ocho Rios Carpet Centre, Fairview Texaco, Montego Bay, National Travel Service, Savanna-la-Mar, Margaritaville, Negril, and Heaven's Texaco, Mandeville.
Accommodation can be sourced for those who want to party all night at Beachomber Negril, Natania's Guest House, Culloden Whitehouse - phone: 963-5349; Sandals Whitehouse, Hotel Commingle, Savanna-la-Mar at 918-1011; or at any Couples or SuperClubs resort in Negril.