Stone Crab Festival crowd at Swordfish Grill benefits from 'great season'

CORTEZ -- Baldo Carnecchia of Philadelphia tore off the already cracked orange claw of a large cooked stone crab Saturday afternoon to reveal what he said was a sight surpassed only by the angelic face of his wife, Wendy.

"Just look at that," Carnecchia said as he held up a hunk of crab meat as big as a cow's tongue. "It's not salty. It's not fishy. It has a crumbly texture. It's better tasting than shrimp and better than lobster. Fabulous."

The Carnecchias, who have homes in Longboat Key, Philadephia and Cape May, N.J., were part of a Saturday crowd estimated at 5,000.

The throng consumed 1,500 pounds of crab claw meat at the fourth annual Stone Crab Festival at Swordfish Grill, 4628 119th St. W., Cortez, according to organizer Bob Slicker, Swordfish Grill general manager.

The festival, which includes 12 bands playing at several locations, 40 artisans selling paintings, photographs, jewelry and other art and a children's zone with horses, rock climbing and cotton candy, concludes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday.

Slicker said he expects a two-day total of 10,000 crab fans.

The Carnecchias handed Swordfish Grill Head Chef Wayne Simmons $25 for a pound of large claws with butter and spicy mustard. It was the perfect amount for two, the couple said.

"We always get a pound of the large because, I think unless you get unlimited eats, it's better to buy the large than mediums," Baldo Carnecchia said.

A half-pound of large claws run $20, the same price as a pound of medium claws, Simmons said, A half-pound of medium claws costs $15.

As the Carnecchias were munching, the band Natural Vibes was rocking "Sweet Home Alabama" on a nearby stage.

"They are fun to eat," Wendy Carnecchia said. "There's nothing better than sitting here and eating crab claws and listening to the bands. It's a great venue for a family."

Forget Key West, the Carnecchias said.

"We don't want to be in Key West," Wendy Carnecchia said. "We want to be right here. We like it better here."

Others agreed.

"I have had all the kinds of crab except I never had stone crab before today," said Tony Guglielmo, "They are probably the best crab I have ever eaten. They are rich. They even beat Alaska king crab as far as I am concerned."

"We go along with Tony," said Dick and Pat Bernsten . "It's the best crab. Everyone needs to try it. They crack it for you."

The Carnecchias were eating under a tent, which was a new addition to the festival, Slicker said.

"Owner Matt Cornelius of Darwin's Brewery co-sponsored the tent," Slicker said. "Now, if it gets too hot, people can just go under there. We're also selling Darwin's beer for the first time."

Simmons, who has been around the sea his whole life, said cold weather this fall created a great start to the stone crab season. Stone crabs stay in hiding until waters are stirred up signalling them to forage for food. That's when they get caught in crab traps, Simmons said.

"That's what makes for a great season, which is what we are having," Simmons said.

The headline band Sunday is Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio, with BC & The Gang, Bobby G, Shelly D and the Blue Velvet Band and Tropix.

"The band, TC & Randy, are playing outside both days by the water," Slicker said.

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7072 or contact him via Twitter@RichardDymond.

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 11:45 PM with the headline "Stone Crab Festival crowd at Swordfish Grill benefits from 'great season' ."