Special to Dorchester Banner/German Partnership Media
Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley taps the ceremonial keg to officially begin Crabtoberfest 2015. From left: Mayor Jackson-Stanley; Dueren County Police Managing Director Dieter Hockel; Dueren County Administrator Wolfgang Spelthahn and Michael Hintzen.[/caption] CAMBRIDGE – The annual Dorchester celebration known as Crabtoberfest will return to downtown Cambridge on Sept. 24 and feature German and American food and beer, music, folk dancing, kids activities and car show. The celebration, which commemorates 11 years of cultural and business exchange between Dorchester County and Dueren County, Germany, attracts guests from not only Maryland but nearby Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia. “We’ve been putting on Crabtoberfest for almost 10 years and every year it just gets better,” said Crabtoberfest Chair Jennifer Brant. “This is our fun, distinctly Dorchester way of bringing the community together to celebrate our German friends and partners of Dueren with music, dancing and food.” Local Dorchester county restaurants will serve bratwurst, sauerbraten, potato salad, and desserts, as well as Eastern Shore favorites like steamed crabs, fried crab dishes and oysters; German, American and craft beers also will be on tap. Frank Nanna & The WW IIunes of Salisbury will perform German festmusik and the Enzian Volkstanzgruppe of Delaware will perform the traditional schuhplattler and other dances. Best Dressed at the Fest, a competition that awards those wearing Oktoberfest attire will be held, and a Kinder Garten will feature games, crafts and face-painting for kids. The Eastern Shore Corvette Club, also known as the “Shorevettes,” will have many classics at the venue for car enthusiasts. Crabtoberfest is Sept. 24 from 4 to 10 pm. Admission is $5 with special package pricing for entry, beer and commemorative mug. It will be held outdoors at Race and Gay streets in Cambridge. In the event of rain, Crabtoberfest will be held on the same day and time at 447 Race Street. Crabtoberfest is an annual commemoration of the Dorchester – Dueren Sister County Partnership, which began in 2005, and features Eastern Shore and German food, authentic German music, contests and kids’ activities. It is held in September each year. For more information about Crabtoberfest, visit www.crabtoberfest.com or call 410-310-6009.