Grab your bib and butter warmer, it's crab feed season. Those looking to hop from event to event can support a number of causes while enjoying buckets-full of that winter seafood treat, crab legs.
One of the biggest and longest-running crab feeds is the one held every winter by the Turlock Pentecost Association at the Turlock Ball Room.
"We usually serve about 2,500 people," said Mike Ralls. "We hope to do just as well this year."
Catch an in-depth look at one of the previous Pentecost Association's crab cioppino feeds in a February 2014 Studio209 episode, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QATCJ5QZJFc.
Last year, a number of fundraising crab feeds were cancelled or postponed due to a health advisory that was issued in November 2016 when state officials found unsafe levels of a toxin in crab caused by algae, known as domoic acid.
The West Coast commercial Dungeness crab season opened in waves this year due once again to elevated domoic acid levels that made the crustacean unsafe to eat — but acid levels aren't the only challenge for those looking to purchase crab meat this season.
Dungeness crab fishers from Northern California to the Canadian border are vowing to continue their strike over the purchase price.
Ken Bates, vice president of Humboldt Fishermen's Marketing Association, says that as of Monday the Dungeness crab fleet is tied up from Morro Bay, California to Westport, Washington.
The strike started Dec. 28 after Pacific Choice Seafood in Humboldt County, California, offered to pay $2.75 a pound for the tasty crustacean. Crabbers whose seasons had already opened had negotiated a price of $3 per pound.
Crab fishermen who are receiving $3 a pound say they won't let others receive any less for the wildly popular seasonal food.
LOCAL CRAB FEED EVENTS:
Turlock Firefighters Crab Feed
The Turlock Firefighters' annual crab and pasta feed to benefit the Random Acts of Kindness Fund will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Assyrian American Club, 2618 Golden State Blvd., Turlock.
Tickets for the all-you-can-eat crab and pasta dinner are $40. To order tickets, email: turlockfirefightersrak@yahoo.com.
American Legion Crab Feed
American Legion Post 88 will hold its annual crab feed at 6 p.m. Feb. 3 at 75 Bothun Rd., Turlock. Tickets for the all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad and wine dinner are $40 each. To reserve tickets, call John Haggstrom at 277-2497, Gunner Bruce at 485-2297 or Bob Russell 535-7542. Tickets can also be picked up at the Legion Hall on Tuesdays and Fridays after 4 p.m.
Turlock Pentecost Association Annual Crab Cioppino
Each year the Turlock Pentecost Association purchases thousands of pounds of crab and fresh seafood for their crab cioppino. Tickets are $60 and festivities begin at 5 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Turlock Ball Room. There is a no-host bar and dancing. For more information, call Mike Ralls 495-9056.
Warrior Athletics Crab feed
A crab feed to benefit the Warrior Athletics Scholarship Fund will take place March 18 at the CSU Stanislaus Main Dining. There will be a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will commence at 6:30 p.m. including all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad and bread. Tickets are $55 per person and 10-person tables can be reserved for $650 and include a bottle of wine. There are VIP sponsorships available for $1,500 and includes a table for 10, a cioppino sampler, a hosted bar and electronic logo projection throughout the evening. For more information and additional sponsorship opportunities call 667-3016.
