We’ve all seen them, with their bibs and crackers and tiny forks and ramekins of melted butter.
They’re out there, lurking, eyeing the calendar, waiting for the start of “crab feed season.”
For some, a crab feed is more than the just a dinner, it’s practically a way of life. Folks show up with serious tools that make it easier for them to enjoy that hard-to-get-at fruit of the sea. In fact, many come armed not only with their own specialized utensils, but a strategic plan of attack.
“My husband is a crab slut,” joked Patty Guerra, a Turlock resident. “I don’t even like crab. My job is to crack shells all night and pass the meat to the left. So even though I don’t eat crab, we still get our money’s worth.”
Tickets tend to be on the expensive side, but the event almost always serves as a fundraiser for a specific cause or organization.
The Modesto Portuguese Pentecost Association will hold its annual crab feed on Jan. 6, 2024, from 5 to 9 p.m., at the MPPA Hall/California Ballroom, 432 Sixth St., Modesto. Dinner includes crab, pasta, clam chowder, salad and bread. Tickets are $65. For more information, visit mppa-events.com
The Gustine Pentecost Society’s crab and cioppino dinner will be held Jan. 13 at GPS Hall, 500 Third Ave., Gustine. The meal includes, crab cioppino, clam chowder, salad, bread, wine and soft drinks. The no-host bar opens at 6 p.m. and dinner is served at 6:30. To purchase tickets for $75 call president Manuel Lopes 209-678-1678 or vice president Antonio Azevedo 209-355-7760.
The Soroptimists International of Twain Harte are holding their annual crab feed on Jan. 13, 2024, at Tuolumne Veterans Memorial Hall, 2 S. Green St., Sonora. For information, visit tuolumnesorptimist.org/fundraisers.
The 18th annual Jerry Burns Crab Feed will be held Jan. 20, 2024. Benefits the Lodi Boosters of Boys and Girls Sports. For information, call 209-817-1975 or visit lodibobs.net/home.
The Merced Breakfast Lions will hold their annual cioppino crab feed on Jan. 20, 2024, at APC Hall, 1420 Third St., Atwater. For information, call Gary Eno at 209-658-2345 or email mercedbreakfastlions@gmail.com.
The annual CSUS Warrior Crab Feed, featuring Dungeness crab, pasta, salad and bread, will be held Jan. 27, 2024, at Fitzpatrick Arena. There will also be music, and live and silent auctions. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served an hour later. The “starter” table for 10 is $850 and the “All-Conference” table for 10, which includes a glass of wine for each guest and table sponsorship, is $1,200. For more information, call 209-667-3016 or visit warriorathletics.com/crabfeed. All proceeds benefit the Warrior Athletics Scholarship Fund.
The CAF/Central California Valley Squadron crab feed will be held Jan. 27, 2024, Hangar 1-S, 700 Tioga Drive, Modesto. Doors open at 5 p.m. and tickets are $75. Dinner includes appetizers, pasta with meat sauce, salad, garlic bread, and, of course, crab. Dessert also is included. To purchase tickets, call 209-605-4313. Limited seating available. This one sells out fast.
The Turlock Pentecost Association will hold its annual cioppino dinner on Feb. 3 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Turlock Ballroom, 528 N. Golden State Blvd. Dancing will be from 7 to midnight. Seating is limited and no takeout orders are available. Tickets prices to be determined (likely between $65 and $75). For information, contact Michael and Alison Carvalho at 209-765-7354 or Alvaro and Anabela Cabral 209-342-8104. Tickets are limited for this feed so if cold, marinated crab is your thing, you’d better hurry.
The fifth annual Nocetti Group Crab Feed will be held Feb. 10, 2024 at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, 1658 S. Airport Way, Stockton. Tickets are $75 and doors open at 5 p.m. Live and silent auctions and raffle prizes. Dinner features crab, tri-tip, pasta, salad, bread, no-host bar. Tables are reserved for groups of 10.
The Turlock Pentecost Association will hold its annual cold crab dinner on March 1. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Turlock Ballroom, 528 N. Golden State Blvd. Dinner served at 6:30. Open bar. Crab, clam chowder and garlic bread. Ticket prices to be determined (likely between $65-75). Turlock Ballroom, 528 N. Golden State Blvd. Limit 500 tickets. Visit the TPA Facebook page or call 209-342-8104 for more information.
The inaugural Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers Crab Feed will be held March 16, 2024, at Rev. O’Hare Hall at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1813 Oakdale Road, Modesto. Crab dinner, no-host bar, live and silent auctions. Tickets are $75 for individuals and $800 for a table of eight. Contact DaShaun Winston at 510-714-3906 or email dashaunwinston@gmail.com.
