Milton Fire Department Crab Feast is an end-of-summer delight

All the crabs you can eat, corn on the cob, fried chicken, hot dogs and community fellowship all wrapped into one! The Milton Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary Crab Feast is an event you'd be happy to stand in line to attend. Brought back in 2017 after a hiatus, it's run by the Ladies Auxiliary, spearheaded by President Mary Ann Warrington, and the Men's Auxiliary helps out, too.

There are about 50 members in the women's group and 60 in the men’s, with roughly 40 members in all helping out at this community event, including 86-year-old Kay Willey! They work together to give the 285 attendees the most enjoyable and friendly experience ever, walking tirelessly up and down the aisles of seats replenishing piles of crabs, corn on the cob, tender fried chicken and foot-long hot dogs. They also carry pitchers of beer from which they will refill your cup happily and often, and sodas are available too.

Thirty-three bushels of crabs are purchased from Lindy's Crabs and Seafood in Woolford, Md., and delivered hot to the fire hall. The hot dogs come from Mule Run Meats in Milford. The 600 pieces of fried chicken come from three different Redner's locations, since it takes so much to feed this hungry crowd. The 350 ears of corn are generously donated by Brittingham's Produce in Milton.

Milton's Dogfish Head brewery also donates 10 cases of its famous 60 Minute IPA beer. Outlet Liquors of Rehoboth contributes four kegs of Miller Lite beer at a discount. The volunteers are all so nice, and each one seems eager to make your visit to the second floor of the Milton fire hall such a happy summer memory.

Want more butter to spread on your first, or second, or maybe your third ear of corn? How about some Old Bay spice or vinegar seasoning ferried right to your place at the table? No problem! Greet friends from your high school days that you haven't caught up with in a long time might relive the Great Storm of  March 1962. I was 14 at the time, but it was still a hot topic at my table. The downtown area of Milton was completely flooded by the storm, with rowboats being paddled down the street in front of the Milton Theatre. The waters filled up the theater past its rows of seats, threatening its interior murals from the 1930s. We were there!

As I banged my wooden mallet on a crab claw, I nodded and waved to many in the happy crowd of crab-cracking, lucky-to-be-there local citizens and visitors. There was a 50/50 raffle, and the deserving volunteer who was working at my table, Connie Bushey, won it and pocketed $593!

Full as a tick, I knew walking up the hill from the fire hall to my home was probably not a good idea. Jeff walked home to drive down and retrieve me, but until he arrived, I sat inside the front door, next to a collage painting of the Milton fire hall that I created more than three decades ago, saying goodbye to people leaving. One man said, "I sure do like that painting!" I told him it was my work, but I don't think I really convinced him that was true!

There are many really fun and rewarding events held at the Milton fire hall during the year. The building recently went through a complete multimillion-dollar renovation, and it is a beautiful community hub right in the center of town. One event that is especially close to Mary Ann Warrington's heart is the Penny Party, held from 7 to 10 p.m., the Thursday before Good Friday during Easter vacation every year. It is held then so schoolchildren who are on spring break can attend. They make it even more fun with their delight in winning prizes.

It's a bargain to attend, and there are four tables of prizes ranging from small to large winnings. Toys, antiques, baskets of goodies, and even local trips are among the prizes available if you have one of the winning tickets. If you want a recommendation, just ask Kelly Pettyjohn of Milton; she loves it and attends every year!

I'm going to check out the big electronic events sign on the corner of the fire hall building a few blocks down the street from my home more frequently, so I don't miss out on any of these fun events ever again!