After several years of either delayed or lackluster Dungeness harvests, this year's coastal crab season started off with a bang, meaning Thanksgiving crab, which is a local tradition for many. Although the crabs are a bit smaller than normal, the thriving number of catches helped fuel an impressive schedule of crab feeds. For many nonprofits, this is the highlight of their fundraising efforts for the year.
When Petaluma says 'crab feed' it means all-you-can-eat. This is not the case elsewhere — much to my disappointment, which I discovered a few years back when I attended an East Bay feed, only to be handed one crab, and one crab only.
For those with kids, there are a few feeds that offer discounted youth pricing, although there is also at least one that is 21 and over only, so check your chosen feed's rules.
It's best to buy your tickets early, even if you are not sure you can make it. Petaluma is ravenous about Dungies and these feeds sell out fast. It's better to have extra tickets than to find yourself foreclosed from attending. Besides, these are fundraisers, so whether you end up donating the ticket price or passing them along to a friend, the money all goes to a good cause. Along that train of thought, keep in mind that these fundraisers are put on by volunteers, so be patient and just have a good time. We were at a recent crab feed where seating was incredibly slow, but we took that opportunity to get to know those around us in line. Getting to meet new friends is a big part of Petaluma feeds. Most crab feeds offer raffles tickets, drinks and desserts for a small additional fee, which is worth the cost.
Don't be bashful about bringing your own equipment. Different feeds offer different accessories, but to play it safe, we bring our own gear, which includes nut crackers, crab forks, crab feed bibs, lemons and butter melters. You can purchase crab feed kits at local stores and seafood shops. We also bring Petaluma Creamery butter for our melters because the feeds usually offer pads of the cheap stuff, which does not do the crab justice. I recommend trying the crab without any butter or dipping sauce, it's often so fresh and sweet that it doesn't need anything else.
If a feed is offering booze for the cost of admission, than it is usually acceptable to bring your own beverage, too.
Do-it-yourselfers can buy live crab out at Bodega Bay, or buy the crustaceans already cooked and cleaned at local shops. Although most grocery stores carry Dungies this time of year, some import from up the coast and some sell leftover frozen stock from last year. Because of this, we purchase ours from Petaluma Market (762-5464), Anna's Seafood (664-5074) or Bodega Bay Oyster Company (876-3010), which is a scenic 20 minute drive west on Bodega Highway from downtown Petaluma. However, no matter where you buy your crab, call ahead to make sure they have some in stock, and inquire about their sourcing. I find try to support our local fishermen.
While nonprofits like Cinnabar Theater, Valley Ford Fire Department and Holy Ghost Hall have already held their annual crab feeds, there are plenty more fundraising feeds on the books for 2019.
Native Sons of the Golden West Nicasio Parlor #183
When: Friday, Jan. 4
Where: Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Ave.
Cost: $50 advance; $55 at the door
Reservations required by Jan. 1, for either advanced ($50) or door ($55) tickets. Cocktails start at 6 p.m. with a 7 p.m. dinner of cracked crab, pasta, salad, rolls and a cup of Cajun gumbo. Call Larry Schork at 486-6897, Dan Foppe at 763-1736 or Kristofer Nelson at 332-2376.
Senhor Santo Cristo Society's Portuguese Crab Feed
When: Saturday, Jan. 12
Where: Petaluma Holy Ghost/Portuguese Hall, 4649 Bodega Ave.
Cost: $50 ($25 for kids ages 6-12)
Dinner is served at 6 p.m. and includes garlic bread, salad, pasta and both hot and cold crab, with wine on the table, followed by dancing from 8 p.m. until midnight. Call Cindy Machado at 762-8521.
Petaluma 7-11 Lions Club
When: Saturday, Jan. 19
Where: Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building, 1094 Petaluma Blvd. S.
Cost: $50
No host cocktails at 5 p.m., dinner seating at 6 p.m. with raffles to follow. Petaluma Pete will provide entertainment. No outside alcohol allowed. The Lions primary purpose is to support local organizations, with a special emphasis on those with sight and hearing problems. Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com or by calling Ron Hammer (763-0564) or John Clithero (765-1245.)
Duhnam School
When: Saturday, Jan. 26
Where: Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Ave.
Cost: $55.
Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by both a silent and live auction. Proceeds directly benefit all the students at Dunham School and Dunham Charter School by providing enrichment programs, including drama, gardening, music and arts. Tickets available at the school office (4111 Roblar Road) or at dunhamsd.org.
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