By By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
What do blue crabs, shrimp, music and a spectacular sunset along the Pamlico River add up to? It adds up to the fifth-annual Pickin’ on the Pamlico on Aug. 14.
The fundraiser for the Washington Harbor District Alliance returns to the Festival Park area on the Washington waterfront from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets for the event cost $40 person. Tickets may be purchased at Charisma on West Main Street in Washington or at the Washington Visitor Center and the end of South Market Street. A table for 10 may be reserved for $100 (tickets not included).
Beth Byrd, director of the Washington Harbor District Alliance, said no more than 600 tickets will be sold.
“In years past we’ve always reached 550 or somewhere near that,” Byrd said.
Music will be provided by Billy Holton &the Soul Shakers out of Oriental.
“He’s really excited about coming. … They play a mixture of rhythm and blues … and good dancing music,” Byrd said. “They have horns, which we’ve never had before.”
Of course, the menu will feature all-you-can-eat crabs, shrimp and grilled chicken. A tomato-and-cucumber salad, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, hushpuppies, hoop cheese and desserts round out the menu. A cash bar serving beer and wine will be available.
“It’s our fifth year. Can you believe that?” said Garleen Woolard, one of the event’s organizers.
Woolard said the planning process for this year’s Pickin’ on the Pamlico has been going along like a “well-oiled machine” because of the efforts of veteran Pickin’ on the Pamlico volunteers and new volunteers.
“We are pleased with their participation,” Woolard said.
Proceeds from Pickin’ in the Pamlico help support Washington Harbor District Alliance programs such as Saturday Market, Music in the Streets, Movies in the Park, Pirates Beach Music Festival, Little Washington Sailing Club, Art Walk and Christmas Flotilla.