Pohick Church Crabfeast a Smashing Success

The Pohick Church held its annual Crab Feast Saturday on the church grounds in Lorton. Over 100 attended the event. The Crab Feast takes place each year on the Saturday after Labor Day and is organized by the men's ministry group at the Church, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew.

Parishioners, families, area residents and crab-lovers alike gathered under blue skies and mild temperatures. Food was set up fresh for the event and prepared by volunteers from the church. The menu included: steamed crabs, fried fish, boiled shrimp, corn on the cob, beans and potato salad. According to long time parishioner and volunteer Grant Hodges, the Crab Feast is "like a homecoming, we have folks coming in from Texas, Alabama and maybe even California." With Ft. Belvoir nearby, many military families join Pohick Church during their time at the base, and occasionally return for church events.

The Crab Feast was "the brainchild of a Brother, now deceased, Graham Davis. His purpose was to raise money to help the Church" according to a member of the Brotherhood, John Springer. Springer indicated that initially the event was to raise money so that the church could obtain Fairfax County water. Now that the church has tapped in to the county water supply, the Brotherhood uses proceeds for many community outreach programs including the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) initiatives such as food and clothing drives, holiday donations and area student tutoring.

Live music at the Crab Feast was provided by the Pohick Pickers, a group of church musicians which included the church Rector, Dr. Donald Binder. Binder, one of the founding members, sings and plays guitar with the group.

The Pickers are "a rather eclectic bunch, with spiritual musicians, folk players and a couple frustrated rock'n rollers, so they play a bit of everything. They are great." said Jeff Parker, who serves as Junior Warden at the Church. The group also plays at the Church's Country Fair in October.

Another Pohick Picker, Barbara Lynn, has been a lifelong member of the Church playing numerous instruments and has been in the choir for 39 years.

Crabs for the event were supplied by Shady Lane Seafood based out of Colonial Beach, VA. The crabs had plenty of admirers. One of whom was Linda Rice, "It's my second year at the Crab Feast and I love crabs. You can't beat it for $25, all the crabs you can eat."

Another popular dish came from volunteer Buck Gastrell, who uses an old family recipe to steam the shrimp, one that he borrowed from his uncle in Mobile, Alabama.

With great food, music and weather and a perfect late summer setting, memorable times were had by all.