<h3>By Molly Ingram</h3>
This is one of the reasons we all live in the Lowcountry – the Soft Shell Crab Festival put on by the Old Village Association in Port Royal. On Saturday, April 16th, join the many other lovers of this delicacy as you purchase Soft Shells prepared 100’s of different ways. This Festival is one of the very few local events that does not have an entry fee or a charge for parking. That leaves you with more money for food, libations, games and rides for the kids. Not to mention Tux the Clown will be stopping by to say hello to the young sprouts.

Besides great, mouthwatering food brought to you by 15 vendors, there will be more than 30 craft vendors with wonderful hand-made items from jewelry to pottery to art work. This is an event you shouldn’t miss.

And then there is the entertainment. Live an on-stage, plan to see: The Bull Grapes from 11 to 12:30 p.m., Shark Rodeo from 1 to 2:30 p.m., and Bootless 3 to 5:00 p.m.

Eighty classic cars will be available for you to enjoy as you stroll up and down Paris Avenue. Oh, almost forgot. You cannot miss the Rotary Crab Race which will be at 4 p.m. That is a must-see for all ages.

So put this on your calendar with a giant big red star next to it. This is fun for the whole family. Hope to see you there.
<h2>How to Adopt a Crab</h2>
It’s crab adoption time! Rotary Clubs of Beaufort and the Lowcountry have teamed up again and, in conjunction with The Port Royal Old Village Association, are sponsoring the great Charity Crab Race during the Soft Shell Crab Festival.

Saturday, April 16 at 4 p.m. (or as tide conditions demand) 5000 crabs will be dropped into Battery Creek and will race to the finish line at the end of the Boardwalk in Port Royal. The fastest crabs will win big: 10 chances to win $5000 in prices and one chance to win $40,000. Adoption fee is $10 per crab and this has become a fundraising tradition to support area non-profit agencies.

Money raised from this crab adoption race has gone towards scholarships at local high schools, Lowcountry Habitat for Humanity, HELP of Beaufort, Second Helpings, CAPA, CODA, Alzheimer’s Family Services, services for our military families and Honor Flight to name just a few. Visit the website www.portroyalcrabrace.com and fill out the form to adopt one, ten, even a hundred crabs. The adoption forms are on line as well as the race rules and regulations.