OAKHURST – History tells us ancient comic playwright Aristophanes said, “You cannot teach a crab to walk straight.”
While that may still be so, nothing can stop hoards of hungry mountain folk from walking straight over to the Oakhurst Sierra Rotary’s 27th Annual Crab Feed, on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 6 p.m.The Rotary Crab Feed, held each year at the Oakhurst Community Center, includes bread, salad, pasta and all-you-can-eat crab, and costs $40 per person. All proceeds from the fundraiser are donated locally.
“The Annual Crab Feed is one of our most enjoyable events,” says Event Chair Dr. Bob Brosi. “We serve a lot of people, have a lot of food and everyone has a great time.”
Considered one of the best and biggest fundraisers of the season, Rotary’s Crab Feed serves about 1,600 lbs. of sweet, west coast Dungeness crab, supplied by Sierra Seafood. Rotary President-Elect Susan Madden says the evening usually raises about $15,000.
Ticket-holders can anticipate lots of fun, often at high decibels.
“You can expect a unique, sometimes chaotic experience,” says Madden. “We always have a good turnout and with people talking, checking out the many raffle prizes and buying raffle tickets, it can get pretty noisy.”
Madden has a tip for those who like raffle tickets. “We sell lots of tickets and you get a special deal if you purchase a row of tickets the length of the community center. So you’ll see long strings of raffle tickets reaching from one end of the room to the other.”
Hankering for a 42″ HDTV or a gas barbeque from Sears? Want some Bright Oak Vineyard wine to go with that grilled steak? Rotary is giving it away, in the form of raffle and door prizes.
Other items up for raffle are an Echo blower from Wood Choppers Supply and a Bosch Rotary Hammer from True Value Hardware. Sierra Telephone and Regert Insurance are also among the annual contributors, along with many donors and sponsors to be acknowledged throughout the evening.
Newcomers to the popular Crab Feed may wish to know that the dining experience can be competitive.
“Many people go all out and bring their own wine, butter for dipping the crab, appetizers, anything goes,” explains Madden. “It turns into quite a production with each table trying to out-do the next. You see some pretty amazing spreads.” A full no-host bar will be on hand to further lubricate the festivities.
“Crab Feed is always a great evening, with the proceeds helping to further Rotary,” says club President Doug Macaulay. “But mostly, it’s just a nice night to fill your belly and enjoy a great evening among friends and neighbors.”
For tickets, contact Bob Brosi at (559) 683-4694 or Doug Dearing at (559) 642-0620.
The Oakhurst Community Center is located at 39800 Road 425B
