Organizers Say Annual Tawes Crab and Clam Bake Will Happen Despite Possible Flooding

Crisfield, Md. — Event organizers said Tuesday that the possibility of rain and flooding in Crisfield Wednesday would not deter the festivities of the 49th Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake. The National Weather Service is forecasting low-to-moderate levels of flooding in the city during the event and organizers are saying it’s nothing that would cause the event to be canceled.

“It’s never been canceled and it will not be canceled tomorrow,” said Heather Ross, executive director of the Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Local residents told WMDT that the projected flooding isn’t particularly out of the ordinary for the area during this time of year.

Bruce Bereano, who is managing one of the tents, has been helping out with the event for around three decades and says they’ve dealt with flooding conditions in years past.

“I’ve been doing this for about thirty years, we’ve kind of handled every single situation. One morning that was flooding — working cooperatively with the mayor and other people, we got rid of the flooding. We’ll have a piece of wood to cover over the floor where there is water,” Bereano said.

Ross said she will be preparing for potentially wet conditions at the event, but added that whatever the weather is, it won’t impact the joy of the crab and clam bake.

“I’m getting my boots ready, wearing a raincoat, it’s not going to impact the fun that we’re going to have. So, I mean, you don’t know what’s going to really happen with the weather. And it’s not going to dampen our spirits one bit,” Ross said. 

She added that the event is one people should try to attend.

The City of Crisfield urges residents to stay up to date on weather and flooding conditions in the coming days.