World Famous Crawfish Boil and Muskrat Stew Festival

Muskrats, crawfish, brews and tunes create an unconvention- al, but tasty, event every February in downtown Cambridge. The Crawfish Boil and Muskrat Stew Fest boasts the most unique festival menu on the East Coast and features muskrat stew, smoked muskrat, muskrat gravy fries, muskrat chili dogs, boiled crawfish, crawfish cakes, crawfish mac & cheese, crawfish chowder, and raw oysters along with conventional festival food like burgers and hot dogs and french fries.

Blues legend Jimmy Cole returns with the 911 All-Stars to the headline this year’s festival, which takes place in Cannery Way on the 400 Block of Race Street in historic Downtown Cambridge on February 24 from 1-6 p.m.

“This is one of the town’s flagship events, and because there isn’t any other food event like it in the world, it always attracts a great combination of visitors as well as some of our more colorful locals,” said Brandon Hesson, the Associate Director of Economic Development for the City of Cam- bridge. “This is such a great opportunity for our communi- ty to get out and experience something unique.”

The Crawfish Boil and Muskrat Stew Festival will hold the 2019 Muskrat Leg Eating Competition World Champion- ship for the second year. Last year’s champion Chuckie Hayward will defend his world title in February.

Cole began his career as a teenage bluegrass picker in county fairs and festivals, but honed his craft in the challenging Cellar Door hootenanny sessions, where crowd reactions offered determined the length of your set. The result, many decades later, is a tireless and inspired blues performer with the ability to dip into his bluegrass roots to keep a crowd on its toes.

“Every year, I ask around about bands, and everybody tells me the same thing – ‘bring back Jimmy,’” said event organizer Keith Graffius, “So, that’s what we’re going to do. Jimmy Cole and his amazing band will return this year.”

Local craft beer, hand-crafted bloody mary’s and orange crushes will be available, as well as non- alcoholic options. Admission is five dollars and helps support the Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce scholarship fund.

For more information, visit the Facebook event page, or call 443-477-2189.