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Clambake Party by Suzanne Cahill

Whether you’ve experienced torrential rains, 100 degree heat, wildfires or gale force winds this summer, one thing is certain: rising temperatures give way to some pretty wild weather. While this makes party planning a bit tricky, you can still manage to celebrate the seasonal bounty that is a mainstay along our coastlines: seafood.

Planning a seafood party is an easy undertaking with some expense. Not everyone has wholesale seafood distribution connections, nor committed hunter-gatherers in the house (lobstermen, crabbers, clammers, etc.) In any case, here’s a look at some of the most well-known regional seafood-theme parties you can plan in your own backyard:

Clambake

The New England Clambake is actually a fire-pit traditionally carved out along a beach to steam any bounty from the sea–clams, mussels, lobster, crab–along with potatoes, carrots, onions and corn on the cob. While today you can easily find an online caterer who can deliver the whole thing to your front door, try your own with help from allrecipes.com, offering tips on ingredients and cooking methods done away from the beach.

Crawfish or Shrimp Boil

Whether low country or Gulf Coast, the seasonings and local supply inspire these type of seafood extravaganza. Like the clambake, the fun of the boil is the lack of table setting and utensils needed. Once seafood is boiled, it’s dumped over newspaper on a large table and everyone gathers round.

Grilled Oysters

Again the Gulf Coast inspires many recipes for this one, but grilled oysters are popular on both coasts and make a fantastic addition to any regular steak or burger grilling, turning your cookout into a seafood-fest of some kind! Try Emeril’s recipe here for an easy, make-ahead seasoned butter for your oysters.

CrabFeast

If you’re lucky enough to visit, live or just pass through the mid-Atlantic coast in late spring/early summer, you cannot miss the many ways you can have crab. The delectable soft-shell crab is a favorite, but it’s the blue crab that is is the crown jewel in this region and inspires a regional itinerary of festivals and parties. Try this at-home version of a crab feast as seen on the Today Show.

Get your bake, boil, fest or feast started with great-looking personalized party invitations from LookLoveSend.com. You’ll find a growing collection of energetic, thematic party invitations that you can quickly and easily personalize. All personalized party invitations are printed on premium quality papers and come with coordinating envelopes. Get started planning your seafood extravaganza before summertime slips away!