On Friday, committee captains who helped orchestrate the 2025 Texas Crab Festival gathered for a special luncheon held in their honor. The event, hosted by Texas Crab Festival Charities, recognized the dedication and hard work of the volunteers who make the festival the largest annual event on Bolivar Peninsula.
Mark DeSantis, president of Texas Crab Festival Charities, opened the luncheon with a warm welcome and a heartfelt thanks to the committee members. “Your efforts make this festival possible,” DeSantis told the captains. “Every dollar raised goes right back into our community, and it’s all thanks to the incredible commitment of our volunteers.”
DeSantis presented two special awards recognizing long-time service to the festival. Tom Osten and Dennis Rollfing received honors for their many years of dedication, leadership, and service to the Texas Crab Festival.
In a surprise announcement, DeSantis introduced the brand-new “Osten-Rollfing Legacy Award,” an annual award recognizing the Volunteer of the Year for outstanding service. For the inaugural year, two deserving recipients were selected:
- “Big Daddy” Larry Flanagan, the beloved festival emcee since 2009, known as “the voice of the Texas Crab Festival.”
- Georgia Osten, Vendor Committee Captain since 2013, whose leadership has been instrumental in organizing the festival’s diverse array of vendors.
After the awards ceremony, Tom Osten acknowledged each of the Committee Captains by name, highlighting their contributions and the essential role they play in the festival’s success. He extended special thanks to the eight new captains who took over committees this year, underscoring the importance of volunteer succession and fresh perspectives.
The floor was then opened to feedback and suggestions for future improvements. Among the ideas raised were:
- More activities for teenagers
- A Sunday Kids Talent Show
- A Tap & Pay option for easier payments
- A Crab Boil dinner
The Texas Crab Festival, known for its lively blend of music, arts, food, and family fun, continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of its volunteers. With new ideas on the table, organizers are looking forward to making the 2026 festival even better.
