It is the peak of the annual crab season, and what better way for gourmands to celebrate the period than through a gargantuan feast? To fit the bill was the Busha Crab Party on the outskirts of Savanna-la-Mar.

On Saturday night, it was a full house on the grounds, as persons trekked in from Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Mandeville to join the Negril and Savanna-la-Mar crab-loving set for the annual shindig. There were also visitors from St Croix and the USA who declared they had to be present for their annual gastronomical crab fix.

Busha’s party is a one-of-a-kind event, which is an all-inclusive affair with no restriction on the quantity of one’s consumption. The crab counter was opened with an array of crab dishes, among them curried crab which was much favoured by Oliver Green, crab and black beans highly recommended by Andrew Desnoes and the peppered crab which proved too steamy for Brian Sang. Servers in ‘T’ shirts with the Busha Crab Fest logo were not given a break at the bar all night. A quartet of monstrous bonfires lit up the ocean-side periphery of the party and the glow against the ocean artistically added to the charm of the setting on the expansive lawn. Not taking chances, the organisers set up a hugh tent in the event of rain, but on a fine night with perfect weather, patrons were happy to utilise the chairs and tables in the uncovered areas.

Ace party spinner Paul Dilworth was situated on a raised platform area from which he controlled his music and a wooden dance floor was open for partying feet. However, in that wide open space many did not restrict themselves to the official dance floor but partied on the grass. One joyous bunch weaved their congo-line steps throughout the crowd, enlarging the dance line as they progressed through. For Savanna-la-Mar socialite, Dana Baugh, back on a short break from college in Florida, it was a night to just free-float throughout the crowd and catch a quick dance move with all her friends present.

The crab feast actually serves a great social cause as proceeds support Rotary charities and that of itself encourage some patrons to participate. Children were also provided for and on one part of the grounds there were swings and other activities for kids. No doubt for a lot of children this was a special treat just to be outdoors on a lawn under the stars and having fun.

When you see the grand and elevated culinary spectacle created around the lowly crab, it is hard to imagine that the process begins with these sideways-walking creatures, being chased by bottle-torch-bearing folks with crocus bags in hand at late at night. From all accounts for the Busha Crab party crowd it will be same time, same place next year!