The festival on March 6 and 7, 2010, will coincide with the EP Farmer and Fishermens Market on March 6.

Competitions are already underway with a weekly crab catching competition running since January.

“The crab competition has already got people talking,” Cowell Chamber of Commerce treasurer Shaun Hornhardt said.

“Businesses have been very supportive and now we want to invite the entire Eyre Peninsula to come along and be part of the weekend.”

Shaun said the March long weekend is one of Cowell’s most important tourism attractions and that businesses and tourism operators are working hard to create even more interest in the local community.

“Cowell is really embracing tourism in 2010 with the crab festival and then the ute muster.

“We’re going to be busy right through to May.

“This weekend is all about involving the whole family – while Dad is out fishing, there’s something in town for Mum and the kids.

“This is new to us, running it over two days – we’re excited to see how it’s going to work, with hopes to make it bigger and better in 2011.”

Events at the festival will include the Cowell Lions Sunday Markets, the EP Farmer and Fishermens Market on the Saturday, horse and cart rides, skydiving, crab races, crabbing competitions with cash prizes and a visit by ABC Radio personality Peter Goers.

Try your hand at crab selling or oyster shucking for a cash prize.

Join the local history tour, check out the quilt expo or enjoy the Cowell Art Group exhibition.

Live music will feature throughout the weekend.