This weekend's Soft Shell Crab Festival in Port Royal: All you need to know

The much-anticipated annual Soft Shell Crab Festival in Port Royal is Saturday, April 20th from 11am to 5pmPhoto byTown of Port Royal, SC

The annual Soft Shell Crab Festival is back on the streets of Port Royal this Saturday.

The mega-popular local annual festival celebrates the short soft shell crab season and incorporates lots of fun activities for all ages. The festivities always includes concerts, arts & crafts, educational activities and a fun day of several local restaurants lining the street offering their own soft shell crab recipes for you to enjoy, along with lots of other food and treats.

The event is put on by the Old Village Association of Port Royal, and they work pretty hard planning and pulling it all off.

One of Beaufort’s most popular festivals drawing thousands of people each year, the excitement kicks off at 11am on Saturday and includes live music by Groove Town Assault (11-130) and Tugboat Tradd & The Deckhands (2-5).

The festival is free and open to all ages and includes a kids’ zone for children with rides, games, a visit from Lollipop the Clown and face painting, a craft/artisan fair with some 40 vendors and a car show by Beaufort’s Classic Car & Truck Club (from 11-3).

ATMs will be on site for those who do not bring cash with them, and as always, no pets are permitted at Port Royal's festivals; only service dogs are allowed.

There is no designated parking area for the event. Parking is typically hosted along the streets of Port Royal. Just expect a short 3 minute walk from your car. (Follow the smell of some good food.)

Get on down to Paris Avenue on Saturday and spend the afternoon having some fun and remembering exactly why you're happy to call the Beaufort area home. Bring the kids, bring friends. Bring them all!

Oh, and make darn sure that you come hungry.