Here is everything you need to know to enjoy the weekend.

Let’s start with food, glorious food!

With more than 20 food vendors serving more than 60 seafood dishes, with 40 of these featuring crabs, there will be no excuse to go hungry this weekend.

2015 will see the introduction of the $10 or less sampler by all food vendors, to allow families the opportunity to try more for less.

Thanks to LiveLighter and the WA School Canteen Association all Crab Fest food vendors have undertaken a recipe assessment to rate the nutrition value of their food in order to help you make healthy food options – keep watch for the green badges on menu boards to locate the healthiest option.

For those not big on seafood, there will be plenty of other options such as gourmet German sausages, hot beef rolls, braised lamb and tabouleh.

Sweet tooths may like to try homemade doughnuts or refreshing, uniquely flavoured icy poles.

The City of Mandurah invites you to an exclusive Crab Fest experience with the opportunity to dine with celebrities at the first Crab Fest Charity Long Table Lunch with part proceeds going to Telethon.

Dine with the Channel Seven celebrities in the picturesque Mandurah Ocean Marina with special guest speakers and a full seafood menu designed by celebrity food consultants Chloe and Kelly, the 2014 MKR finalists.

An eight-course seafood degustation menu, complemented by matching wines, will be prepared by the restaurants within the Mandurah Ocean Marina.

Guest speakers include Channel Seven’s Basil Zempilas, Telstra Ambassadors West Coast Eagle Jack Darling and Commonwealth Gold medal winner Caitlin Bassett, with the musical styling of DuoCaliente a vibrant flute and guitar duo playing an energetic and passionate Latin and Spanish music, featuring the fiery talents of Rebecca Guy and Duncan Gardiner.

WHEN: Sunday 15th March 2015,  1pm – 4pm

WHERE: Dolphin Quay, Mandurah Ocean Marina

Bookings essential limited tickets available.

Saturday, March 14, 10am – 6pm and Sunday, March 15, 10am – 5pm

2015 MKR WA Contestants – Kat and Andre 

Kat & Andre will feature on the Good Guys Cooking Stage both days of Crab Fest.

2015 MKR WA Contestant – Eva from Eva and Debra

Eva will feature on the Good Guys Cooking Stage both days of Crab Fest.

2014 MKR Finalists – Chloe & Kelly

Returning to Crab Fest after surviving the pressure cooker competition known as My Kitchen Rules in 2014,  these controversial yet very proud West Australians, Chloe James & Kelly Ramsay, the ‘Gourmet Travellers’ will be back on the Good Guys Cooking Stage to show festival goers who’s boss in the kitchen.

These fun-loving girls will also be helping host the Crab Fest Long Table Lunch.

Chloe & Kelly will feature on the Good Guys Cooking Stage both days of Crab Fest.

NOVA 937’s Nathan, Nat & Shaun

Nathan, Nat & Shaun will be featured on the Good Guys Cooking Stage on Saturday at Crab Fest.

AFL West Coast Eagle and Telstra Ambassador – Jack Darling

Jack will feature on the Good Guys Cooking Stage the Sunday of Crab Fest 

AHOY! Calling all under 13s to dress up in their most creative Under the Sea-themed costume for the Crab Fest Children’s Dress-up Competition and to win some awesome prizes.

Dress up in your best Under the Sea inspired costume and win one of 10 cash prizes.

All entries will be judged on the day based on the following criteria:

·                                 Creativity and originality

·                                 Reflection of theme – Under the Sea

·                                 Quality of workmanship and construction

·                                 Overall presentation

Who: Open to children aged 13 and under

When: Saturday, March 14 in Smart Street Mall at 1pm

Cost: Registration is FREE , however you must register before March 11.

Featuring at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (MPAC) over the Crab Fest weekend is the eleventh year of the Mandjar Art Award and the signature art exhibition for Mandurah and the Peel region. 

Awards

·                                 $15,000 Alcoa Australia’s Aluminium Corporate Award (Acquisitive).

·                                 $5,000 Halls Head Community Bank Branch Bendigo Bank Regional Award (Acquisitive).

·                                 $1,000 Hunsa Smallgoods Highly Commended Corporate Award.

·                                 $1,000 Terrace Art Framers Highly Commended Regional Award.

·                                 $1,000 Halls Head Community Bank Branch Bendigo Bank People’s Choice Award.

MPAC is located in Mandjar Square and will be open over the Crab Fest weekend.

Opening and Official presentation – Saturday, 14 March @ 7pm

Exhibition – Saturday, 14 March to Sunday 5 April

There will plenty of fun for the kids with the Children's Stage hosting entertainment on Saturday, March 14 between 10am – 4.00pm and Sunday, March 15 between 10am – 4.15pm

Paddington Bear Movie – Live Stage Show

He was number 1 at the Australian box office over the summer and now this young Peruvian Bear with a passion for all things British is visiting Mandurah as part of his search for home. Join Paddington Bear as he settles in with the Brown family. There is going to be lots of drama, lots of laughs and plenty of marmalade sandwiches for everyone to eat. Join everyone’s favourite bear for the adventure of a lifetime. Saturday, March 14 @ 11.15, 12.30, 13.45, 14.20 Sunday, March 15 @ 11.00, 12.15, 13.40, 14.15

Constable Care Puppet Theatre

Constable Care is returning to Crab Fest with two new puppet shows for the family to enjoy

Celebration Show

It’s the last day of school, it’s been a big year of hard work and now it’s time for a class party to celebrate. With such a culturally diverse group of students does everyone have the same idea of what a party is? It’s time to expand the children’s horizons and learn new things about different types of music, delicious new foods and exciting games. 

Summer Show

Beneath the beautiful birthday tree Flash The Cockatoo and Flop The Frog are super-duper excited as they prepare for Egret’s birthday party. Trouble strikes as a careless young student drops his lunch rubbish in the middle of their birthday party area. Over the course of the day the rubbish builds until a gruesome rubbish monster is created! How will Flash and Flop help the boy realise his littering is destroying their home? Will they be able to band together against the Rubbish Monster before it’s too late?  Saturday, March 14 @ 10:15, 15:10 and Sunday, March 15@ 10:00, 14:50

Dyzzy – Pulse Circus Show

Dylan Harrington and Ozzy Mclean are ‘Dyzzy’… They’ve been flipping, spinning and juggling since they could walk. Dyzzy is a high-energy circus show featuring skilful acrobatics, juggling, audience participation and plenty of circus tricks. The circus comes to life on Sunday, March 15 @ 12.15, 15.45   

SpotLite Youth Theatre

SpotLite Youth Theatre will be performing ‘You Can’t Stop The Beat’ fromHairspray as well as performances from a number of soloists including guitarist and singer Luke Da Silva and vocal performer and Centre Stage Youth Talent Quest 2013 winner Tuscany King. They will also be performing their performance piece from the Stars of Tomorrow Talent Quest ‘If I Were Not Upon This Stage’. SpotLite Youth Theatre will hit the Children’s stage on Sunday at 11:40

Pop the Magician

Pop the Magician will provide fun, flavour and memorable experience of all visitors at the Crab Fest. His magic shows, strolling magic and balloon twisting, ensures a variety of activity which will appeal to the whole family of the visitors who attend. The magic shows are bright, colourful and interactive and involve many children as assistants to become “Stars of the Show”. The magic will happen at Crab Fest on the Saturday, March 14 @ 11.50, 13.05   

X-Factor’s Dean Ray will be headlining the Crab Fest Music Stage on Saturday, 14 March @ 7.45pm

Mental as Anything will be headlining the Crab Fest Music stage on Sunday, 15 March @ 4pm

Fireworks - Saturday 8.30pm

X-Factor’s Sydnee Carter will also make a special appearance on the music stage.

Information courtesy of City of Mandurah and crabfest.tv