Well more than 100,000 people attended this year’s Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest for a huge weekend celebrating the Mandurah estuary’s famous residents.
Thousands of people keen to crack into some crab enjoyed sunny skies the first day, with stilt walkers, live music, kids entertainment and sideshow rides giving the event a carnival-like atmosphere.
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READ NOWTents and food vans selling dishes featuring the crustacean boasted long lines of punters wanting to get a taste of the popular delicacy.
True Blue Ocean Feasts van, run by Miami business Ralphy’s Ocean Treats, was one of many outlets serving up crab across the weekend, with dishes on offer including fresh chilli crab with damper and crab loaded fries.
Hayley Ralph was hard at work behind the counter and expected to sell 1300 of the shellfish on Saturday alone, with both locally caught and Carnarvon crabs on the menu.
Ten-year-old Victorian Abel Middleton, on his first time at the event, opted for a traditional crab and chips.
Also among the interstaters this year were cricketing great and passionate cook Matthew Hayden and his TV presenter daughter Grace.
Hayden has been to the region previously — on the invitation of good mate and Mandurah local Justin Langer — and said his first Crab Fest had confirmed his view that Mandurah was the place to be.
“JL was always saying ‘oh you’ve got to come down’, boasting about it, which he rightfully did,” Mr Hayden said.
“And I now can see...just how special it is.”
Saturday night ended with a performance by dance group The Potbelleez that kept the crowd revved up before a fireworks display from Mandjar Bay lit up the sky.
Another big day of great food and entertainment followed on Sunday, with alt-rockers Pacific Avenue playing the closing set to put a perfect end to the weekend’s festivities.
Mandurah mayor Rhys Williams said the festival was a “phenomenal success” that showcased Mandurah’s lifestyle to “big crowds from far and wide”.
“We are so thrilled with the turnout and smooth delivery of this year’s Crab Fest and it was great to see our city, Australia’s Top Tourism Town, come alive again for our iconic event,” he said.