Crab Crackin’ at Ker Place

Most on the Eastern Shore would agree that all-you-can-eat steamed crabs, steamed
clams, and barbecue are pretty hard to pass up. That’s why no one will want to miss the fourth annual Crab Crackin’ at Ker Place, presented by Weichert, Realtors – Mason-Davis, on Saturday, Aug. 20. Shore History, founded in 1957 as the Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society, will host the feast on the front lawn of the landmark to showcase the Shore’s agricultural and aquacultural bounty.
It will be served to the music of the Brandon Bower Band, back by popular demand after last year’s performance.
The event will run from 4 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $60 each, and the menu will include steamed crabs; steamed clams; barbecue with coleslaw; and sweet corn. A limited quantity of beer and wine are included in the ticket, with additional available for purchase. Tickets are on sale at shorehistory.org.
Crab Crackin’ serves as a fundraiser for the exterior rehabbing of Onancock’s Hopkins & Bro. store, another of Shore History’s properties on the National Register of Historic Places. During Shore History’s successful Last Plank campaign that replaced the bulkhead, dock, finger piers and patio as well as installed a handicapped-accessible ramp at the site, Shore History saw that exterior renovations were urgently needed.
Work is already under way as contractors repair and repaint the exterior as well as reglaze the original windows. Shore History has received grants for part of the work, and in addition to proceeds from Crab Crackin’, it will be selling naming rights to 25 windows of the store. If you are interested in supporting the project through the Dash for the Sash campaign, contact Shore History at 757-787-8012
or visit shorehistory.org to watch for updates on special projects under the Contribute tab.
Getting back to the band, the group’s sound includes elements of rock, funk, soul, and country. Bower has shared the stage with James Brown and the Soul Generals, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band among others. One radio personality said, “If Elvis Presley and James Brown had a child, he would be no other than Brandon Bower.”
In addition to general ticket sales, business sponsorships are available. For details, visit the
Ticket Sales page of shorehistory.org. Ker Place is located at 69 Market Street in Onancock. Hopkins & Bro. Store is at 2 Market Street. For more information about the event and properties, visit Shore History’s website or call 757-787-8012. Parking for the event is available in the lot of Market Street United Methodist Church as well as street parking.