7 things to do in Annapolis: Zach Laurer goes from crab neophyte to crab czar in 2 years

Three years ago, Zach Laurer and his family moved from Cleveland to Annapolis. They wanted to live in a small town where people got involved in the community.

Two years ago, he had his first steamed crab.

Friday, his role as chair of the 79th annual Annapolis Rotary Crab Feast will bring him to the very pinnacle of a pile of hot, brick-red crustaceans dusted with spice — both before and after they’re cracked open and consumed with beer, corn and lots of paper towels handy.

Ask the employee benefits manager how he goes about getting at what is arguably the most Maryland of summer foods, and he has to pause and think about it.

“Oh, gosh. I mean, how do I explain it?” he said Wednesday morning. “You know, I peel off the back and crack it, split it in half and start pulling out the meat. That is not a very scientific way to explain.”

If you haven’t purchased your tickets to the Annapolis feast — long billed as the world’s largest, no matter how many attend — you’re not going. Ticket sales closed Monday.

“That’s out of respect to our crab and barbecue vendors,” Laurer said.

You don’t want to run out of crabs when 1,100 people are coming for an all-you-can-eat meal that includes crabs, corn, crab soup, hot dogs, beef barbeque, soft drinks, and beer. That actually happened one year when they were still selling tickets at the gate.

Some Rotarians ran for cover.

Full disclosure here: My wife is an Annapolis Rotarian so I’ve had a close-up look at this event. I might even have a “crabby volunteer” T-shirt somewhere.

Proceeds from the feast go into community programs through grants. Nonprofits can apply for money from this year’s fest starting Saturday.

Like all social clubs, Annapolis Rotary depends on the volunteer labor of its members. It’s one of the biggest Rotary clubs in the state, so getting everyone involved results in a lot of helping hands.

They call it, “All claws on deck.”

Keeping them going in the right direction is up to Laurer and more experienced members who head up the committees that take charge of different tasks. There’s one for serving crabs. One sets up long tables under the stadium stands and covers them with brown paper. Members use a diagram perfected over the years.

One group makes sure all of the waste is composted. Another is in charge of pouring beer, although you have to work up to that one. After the feast ends, the clean-up crew sits around for a well-deserved rest and a few laughs.

The biggest challenge is always keeping an eye on ticket sales. Members no longer peddle them in person; now all tickets come from the website. That’s made matching feasters with the feast a bit easier, but it’s still the big concern.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a challenge, but just making sure that we keep a close eye on all of that stuff so that we ensure it’s a successful event,” Laurer said.

Here are some other things to do in Annapolis through Thursday Aug. 8.

Hot air

5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

You can watch hot air balloons rise over the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds for the Balloon Glow & Laser Show.

Tethered balloon rides are the center attraction, but the event also includes games and rides for children, live music, food and crafts, and retail vendors.

Admission for adults starts at $20 plus fees, with children under 18 starting at $8 plus fees. Balloon ride tickets are $35, and are sold at the show.

Comedy tour

8 p.m. Friday

If you know comedian Tom Papa’s observational humor and funny stories, you may have heard this routine.

“You don’t like pets, pet people act like you’re a monster.”

“You don’t like pets? You’re so mean!”

“Really, I’m mean? I’m not the one keeping a live animal hostage in my apartment.”

“He loves me.”

“Really? Open the door.”

Papa will share more humor like this during his Rams Head Presents performance at Maryland Live. $50, plus fees.

Toys “R” them

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Dozens of vintage and modern toy, comic and art vendors will be at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel for the Annapolis Toy Show. Free admission.

Jazz and Roots fundraiser

4-6 p.m. Saturday

Looking for a little nostalgic jazz on Saturday afternoon? Ravita Jazz will perform music by Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Marvin Gaye and Simon & Garfunkel in Sounds of the Seventies, a fundraiser for the Annapolis Jazz & Roots.

Trumpeter Joe Brotherton will join the band at Eastport United Methodist Church for a tribute to a decade when political discord gave way to the first Earth Day, the end of the Vietnam War and the first Gay Pride Parade in New York City. The playlist includes Hancock’s “Chameleon” and “Watermelon Man,” Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me” and Aretha Franklin’s hit “Respect.”

Admission is $25 in advance and $35 at the door.

Chamber recital

3-4 p.m. Sunday

The U.S. Naval Academy Band Chamber Players perform a variety of works for wind instruments by Mozart, Schumann, Tchaikovsky and Fauré, as well as works by contemporary composers, in a concert at Calvary United Methodist Church. Free.

Southern rock

7 p.m. Sunday

If you were alive in the 1970s, or just like Southern rock, the Marshall Tucker Band is part of your inner playlist. Their 1973 hit “Take The Highway” put them on the map.

It’s still touring 50 years later, although lead singer Doug Gray is the only remaining original member. Jason Morton and the Chesapeake Sons, a mid-Atlantic Southern rock band, will open the show at Maryland Hall. Tickets start at $50 plus fees.