Cowboy Boots and Crab Legs, 2011

I wrote the following article one year ago. It appeared in two local newspapers. Thought it would be fun to share it again, since it is crab season, after all. What a fun time we had at the Halfway Crab Feed! 

Cowboy Boots and Crab Legs

by Marna Fahrney on Sunday, 13 March 2011 at 09:53

With tickets to the Crab Feed given to me by a friend/client, how could we not attend? I have heard from several people about this event and how large it is. My friend explained a few things to me, about there being a line to get in, that it is an 'all you can eat' affair and that I should bring a wet washcloth in a Ziploc baggie or wet wipes of some kind. This had me interested.

We invited two friends to join us. Not knowing anyone else attending the Crab Feed, we thought it would be more fun to experience this with another couple. The drive to Halfway from town is about an hour. During that time we visited, laughed and anticipated the evening's festivities. Arriving in Halfway, we knew exactly where the Feed was being held due to the main street being lined with cars for blocks. I knew this was a popular event, they hold the dinner from 1 o'clock in the afternoon until 8:00pm. I don't think any of us were prepared for the incredibly long line that was already in place. We thought, by arriving in the afternoon, we would slip in before the 'dinner rush.' We were wrong. I can tell you with certainty that my husband, after seeing that line would have driven right on by if we did not have our friends with us. I am thankful that they agreed to spend the evening with us because we would have missed out on a true adventure!

Standing in line I noticed several things right away. The assembled crowd was a joyful, enthusiastic bunch! And the majority of them were wearing Cowboy boots and 'ranch type clothes.' This was after all, a rural town with many farms and ranches. There were also numerous ice chests being carried, filled with the alcoholic beverages of choice, which was generally beer. I wouldn't say that the crowd was out of control, just a bit loud from all of the visiting and laughing.  Moving here from Southern California almost four years ago, this was a very different experience. I was thoroughly intrigued. I noticed something else. People were friendly. I do believe that for many, the Lions' Club Crab Feed in Halfway, Oregon is a yearly tradition. Can you think of anything better to do on a cold Saturday afternoon when we are all eagerly anticipating Spring?

As the line slowly moved forward, at one point, we all ran into people that we knew or were acquainted with. This really is life in a small town. No chance of remaining anonymous as we once were when we lived in a big city. The sky grew darker by the time we reached the front of the line and drops of rain began to fall. Looking back on the line, it was still as long as it was when we arrived. I was to find out that it was very much, worth the wait!

A smiling Lion's Club member awaited us at the door, ready to stamp our hands with a very appropriate Red Crab. We joined a large crowd in a warm waiting room where beer and sodas were being poured. Our name was called in a very short amount of time and we entered an expansive room with rows of tables. This had to be one of  the most organized fundraisers I have ever seen. Crab legs in large buckets, bowls of creamy potato salad, hot buttered garlic bread, tangy coleslaw and some of the best baked beans I have tasted in ages! There were bowls of different sauces for dipping the succulent crab into and the soda and beer kept flowing.And of course, stacks and stacks of extra napkins! The room was teeming with excitement. Each of us commented that we received better service from the Lions than we had in many restaurants. I can't even count the number of times our bucket of crab was refilled or our basket of bread was replaced with a new basket of piping hot bread. While enjoying the company of our friends and the amazing meal that was in front of us, I observed that each person in that room had something in common, the desire to really live and experience life. This was not an elegant affair where you were required to don a gown or tie and needed to keep your checkbook handy. And you were certainly not going to be asked to leave if you were disruptive or noisy. This was true rural living, with down to earth, truly nice folks. Cowboy boots and Crab Legs.

You can bet, that if you choose to attend next years' Crab Feed, you will find us standing in line. Of course, we will have an ice chest and a thermos of hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps and a Ziploc baggie with a damp washcloth. Who knew that Crab Legs were so messy? This is definitely on our list of yearly traditions.

Thank you, 1/2-Way Lions' Club, we had a blast!