Colorful Places : Where Crabs are King

Little River has a colorful history of playing host to crusty characters. Over the years this quaint fishing village has served as a haven for everybody from pirates to smugglers to Civil War blockade runners. On May 17 and 18, the Atlantic blue crab will be revered as the rakish favorite, holding the distinction of having his own annual festival. Not bad for a critter destined to be boiled in a pot.

In 1981 the festival began with just a few vendors stationed under the stately live oaks that line Little River's waterfront. In recent years the event has burgeoned into one of the premier seafood festivals in the southeast. The 50,000 visitors who are expected can experience all manners of crab — crab cakes, crab balls, crab-on-a-stick and of course, crab the purists' way — steamed and spicy.

Little River is nestled on the South Carolina coast near the North Carolina border. It lies approximately 20 miles north of Myrtle Beach, SC.

"There's a nice variety of food," says Amanda Leath of Myrtle Beach. Leath and her family have attended the Blue Crab Festival for almost 15 years. Her favorite way to consume the region's favorite delicacy is in its soft shell version. Lucky for festival goers, the brief soft shell crab season kicks off in May.

Visitors can experience all manners of crab — crab cakes, crab balls, crab-on-a-stick and of course, crab the purists' way — steamed and spicy.

Visitors can experience all manners of crab — crab cakes, crab balls, crab-on-a-stick and of course, crab the purists' way — steamed and spicy.

Crab not your favorite food? Not a problem. Other Low country food specialties will abound. "They have she-crab soup along with alligator on a stick. There also is a wonderful seafood section next to one of the restaurants by the water," says Leath. Usual festival fare such as pizza and funnel cakes are also available.

Offerings, which have expanded significantly in recent years, include a large children's activity area, a 5K run, a motorcycle poker run, a petting zoo and a beauty pageant. Ongoing entertainment, and arts and crafts vendors from throughout the region line Little River's narrow streets.

Traditionally the Little River Blue Crab Festival is held the weekend after Mother's Day. The two-day event, which bills itself as "The South's Great Street Festival," has become a local institution. "It's the kind of place where if you haven't seen someone in a while, you'll see them there," says Leath. She describes the crowd as being a lively mix of families and tourists, many who are in town for the Myrtle Beach Harley- Davidson Rally.

Besides the fantastic food, Leath and her family's favorite thing about the festival is the large number of arts and crafts vendors. "Each year we buy something as a reminder of the festival," she says. Over the years she has acquired everything from pottery to wall hangings to mobiles. "The number of vendors has really grown and they have many wonderful and unique items."

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