Lovers of crab meat (from left) Wade Brown, Carol Watson, Sandy Alexander, Steve George Gooden, Carol Gooden and Mark Alexander devour the feast.

WESTERN BUREAU:

It would seem the statement, 'if available at the gate', paid off handsomely for Eric 'Busha' Clarke as he barely had hands to feed the hundreds who converged on Paradise Park in Savanna-la-Mar last Saturday night for the annual crabfest.

Clarke's creatively crafted advert promoting the calendar event stated, "Ticket prices at $3,000 per person pre-sold and IF available at the gate $3,500."

Well, let it be known that chef, Brian HoSue, was under pressure to deliver the 200 dozen crabs that were boiled, curried, cooked in black bean sauce, peppered, and even in tamarind, as lovers of the clawed family came from all over the world to partake.

Having been fed on a diet of mangoes, cornmeal and watergrass for the last month, the crabs sat in bags and large containers awaiting their fate, oblivious of the fact they were all there for a worthy cause.

fun event

Crayfish soup, boiled and roasted corn, Chinese sweets soaked in tequila, prunes soaked in brandy, and a special rum punch, called 'Rude to you parents', complemented the character of this fun event.

Each year, Clarke donates proceeds from the event to his Rotary club and in 2009 he was supported by a record number of patrons

Next year, we will put in two food lines and two bars, because the event has become so much bigger", declared Clarke.

Busha's Crab Party 2009 attracted personalities like Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva and his wife, Sara; Mayor of Portmore Keith Hinds and wife, Marjorie who travelled from St. Andrew and Portmore, respectively, to the western end of the island .

We spotted the Gleaner's managing Oliver Clarke, and wife, Monical Ladd, with daughter, Alex, Andrew and Kim Burke, Robert and Beverly Russell, Horace Anderson, Ricardo Bowleg; Floyd McDonald and George Dalley from the Bahamas, senator Dennis Meadows; Kevin and Avis Hammond; Dr. Paul Brown and wife, Kay; Andre Hylton; Michele and Andy Daswani.

Also out wereKaren Lanigan; Diedre Har-Chang and daughter; oe; Philip and Bridget Gooden; Debbie and Jackie Hew; Kevin and susie Mattis; Gary Stevens; Jean and Tony Gooden; Nuncia Meghoo; Christine Dailey Malcolm; Joan Gordon Webly; Dr. Andriene Stanhope; Douglas Arnold; Joyce Green; Paul Gooden; Michele Yard; Jenipher Baugh; Judy and Geoffrey; Ziadie and Dr. Richard and Carolyn Gomes.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

Eric 'Busha' Clarke and Deborah Lanigan of National Outdoor Advertising get a chance to have a conversation at the party - photos by Janet Silvera

Cynthia Hew (left) and Gabi Lanigan are beautiful in black and white.

Carolyn Neil feeds her husband, Earl, at Busha's crab party.