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‘‘This is Eastern Shore politics at its best,” said Scott A. Hancock, executive director of the Maryland Municipal League, who is a native of nearby Pocomoke City. ‘‘This is the must-do event ... of the summer.”

Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown and Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot patrolled the grounds around the hundreds of corporate tents set up on the sun-baked concrete. Lobbyist Bruce Bereano held court at his usual spot that attracted a bevy of lawmakers, Cabinet secretaries and former pols, including former governor Marvin Mandel.

‘‘The capital of Maryland moves to Crisfield on the day of the Tawes crab feast,” Bereano said. ‘‘This is the Super Bowl of Maryland politics.”

Despite the length of time until the next big election, organizers sold just shy of 6,000 tickets — only 500 fewer than last year when candidates and their entourages nearly outnumbered average Joes — and the crowd consumed 46,000 clams, 300 bushels of crabs, 755 dozen ears of corn and 800 pounds of fish.

‘‘It’s the biggest turnout we’ve had for a non-political year,” said Valerie Mason, office manager for the Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce, who said one couple came to Tawes from Arizona.

Even in non-election years, Tawes remains a place to see and be seen, said Deputy Comptroller Len Foxwell, an Eastern Shore native who has attended 14 consecutive Taweses.

‘‘It’s fitting that Tawes occurs around the Major League Baseball All-Star Game because it truly is the midsummer classic of Maryland politics,” he said.

And the absence of sign-toting, sticker-wearing candidates is a plus, Foxwell added. ‘‘It makes it a little easier for the true fans to get a good seat.”

Political peddling

But that doesn’t mean the festival was totally free of political peddlers. The three challengers vying for the 1st Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest — who was voting on Capitol Hill Wednesday — were strolling the grounds and pressing the flesh.

State Sen. Andrew P. Harris, sporting a mustard yellow polo shirt that stuck out in the crowd of thousands, said he’s encouraged by the reception his campaign has received and the fundraising totals amassed in the last month.

Harris (R-Dist. 7) of Cockeysville reported raising almost $180,000 in the second quarter, more than twice what Gilchrest (R-Dist. 1) of Kennedyville has raised in all of 2007 (about $82,000).

The GOP primary could be Gilchrest’s most difficult test since taking office in 1991. A number of state lawmakers and Republican leaders are lining up behind Harris, who is promoting himself as a true conservative who will support Republican values.

‘‘The Wayne Gilchrest that [the voters] sent to Washington in 1990 is not the Wayne Gilchrest who votes with Democrats as much as Republicans,” he said, citing a recent analysis by Congressional Quarterly that identifies Gilchrest as breaking from his party more than any other congressman. ‘‘Wayne’s a nice guy but he might as well be an Independent.”

The race is beginning to splinter Republicans.

‘‘It’s shortsighted by some in the party to write Wayne off and ignore the work he’s done,” said Del. Tony McConkey (R-Dist. 33A) of Severna Park. Just one day earlier, Dels. James J. King (R-Dist. 33A) of Gambrills and Steven R. Schuh (R-Dist. 31) of Gibson Island, announced their support for Harris.

Del. Nicholaus R. Kipke (R-Dist. 31) of Pasadena, attending his first clambake, isn’t making an endorsement but thinks a competitive primary is good for the party.

‘‘The far right sees this as an opportunity to get a Republican elected and I see this as an opportunity for the Republican Party to have a great debate,” he said, acknowledging that his office is fielding numerous complaints about Gilchrest.

Meanwhile, the two Democrats seeking their party’s nomination — Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Frank M. Kratovil Jr. and Cambridge attorney Charles Robinson — also mined for votes. Both are raising formidable sums of cash in a far-less combative race. Kratovil has amassed $80,000, with Robinson collecting about $57,000.

BRAC talk

Another Tawes first-timer Del. Donna Stifler wants to see more movement on BRAC, specifically the placement of priority funds for projects in the areas most affected by military realignment.

Several bills that would have done so went down in flames during this year’s legislative session and Stifler (R-Dist. 35A) of Forest Hill said a different approach is needed.

‘‘We need to find means that don’t require legislation. Not everything in life has to be solved by a law.”

Asked about allocating extra money to certain jurisdictions, the lieutenant governor said there are needs across the state and it would be difficult to give extra dollars to BRAC zones, even if the need is there.

That’s dedication

Del. Leroy E. Myers Jr. (R-Dist. 1C) of Clear Spring may win the award for most dedicated Tawes attendee. Since taking office in 2003, Myers has attended four of five Taweses.

Of course, it helps when you have a private jet fly to Salisbury, instead of making the five-hour jaunt. Myers said he schedules business around the event to make the trip worthwhile.

By our estimation, that left Sen. David R. Brinkley (R-Dist. 4) of New Market as the most distant lawmaker to make the trip. He traveled seven hours round trip to appear at the three-and-a-half hour gig. To boot, Brinkley spent the previous night at the exact opposite end of the state in Garrett County.

Ah, bipartisanship

Republicans and Democrats seem to get along better at Tawes in an off-election year. The proof’s in one photograph of Del. Steven J. DeBoy Sr.’s wife posing with Myers and Del. Marvin E. Holmes Jr. (D-Dist. 23B) of Kettering.

‘‘She’s with a Republican and a Democrat. That’s my kind of lady,” a proud DeBoy (D-Dist. 12A) of Arbutus exulted.