Grab your bibs and mallets—Dungeness crab season is here and the pickings are looking good. This year’s catch of the succulent crustaceans is reported to be plentiful, and so—based on our survey—are the fund-raisers that feature them.

Dungeness crabs are caught in California from November to June, but local calendars fill up in January and February with crab feeds benefiting various causes. Most events offer similar menus: all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad, bread, and dessert, with a few adding second entrées, and many featuring auctions or entertainment. These events sell out fast, so buy tickets early to enjoy one (or more) of our region’s most popular feasts. 

JANUARY

13

HartSong Ranch Crab Feed. Silent auction, raffle, no-host bar. Proceeds benefit HartSong, a sanctuary that grants permanent sanctuary to animals with special needs and farm animals. $45. 6 p.m. Cool Community Hall, 1701 Hwy 193, Cool, 530-887-0200

14

Folsom Lake Kiwanis Crab and Steak Feed. Raffle, silent auction, football on a big-screen TV. Funds scholarships for Folsom and Vista del Lago High Schools. $50 or $360 (table of eight). 12:30 p.m. Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma Street, Folsom, folsomlakekiwanis.org

20

Active 20-30 Club of Greater Sacramento’s “Krewe du Crab” Crab Feed. Crab, clam chowder, beer and wine, and a live auction. Benefits Chicks in Crisis and 916 Ink. $65 (general admission) or $100 (VIP ticket); tables/sponsorships vary. 5 p.m. Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 6151 H Street, Sacramento, brownpapertickets.com/event/3097827

 

20

Camp Taylor Crab Feed. Unlimited crab, salad, and pasta. Silent auction, raffle, and dessert auction featuring Patty’s world-famous German cheesecake. Benefits Camp Taylor, which offers free programs and support to kids with heart disease. $50. 5:30 p.m. The Blue Goose Event Center, 3550 Taylor Road, Loomis, kidsheartcamp.org/crabfeed

 

20

Folsom Lake Lions Club Crab and Shrimp Feed. Helps support Folsom Vision Project, school reading, blind runners, the Folsom Public Library, and many other local causes. $45 (advance purchase only). 6 p.m. Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma Street, Folsom, folsomlionscrabfeed.com

 

27

D.A.R.T. (Drowning Accident Rescue Team). Silent/live auctions, raffle, dancing, and presentations. Supports D.A.R.T.’s mission of assisting rescue victims of water-related tragedies. $50 or $450 (table of 10). 6 p.m. Citrus Heights Community Center, 6300 Fountain Square Drive, Citrus Heights, 530-318-0594

27

El Dorado County Search and Rescue Council Crab Feed. No-host bar, dinner, and dancing. Proceeds benefit the El Dorado County Search and Rescue Council. $50. 5:30 p.m. El Dorado County Fairgrounds (Mark D. Forni Building), 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville, eldoradocountyfair.org/pdfs/SearchandRescueCrabFeed.pdf

FEBRUARY

3

El Dorado Hills Rotary Club’s Crab and Tri-Tip Feed. Raffle, dessert auction, dancing, and games. Benefits Rotary and community projects. $55. 6 p.m. District Church Auditorium, 7000 Rossmore Lane, El Dorado Hills, edhcrabfeed.org 

3

Folsom Rotary Anne M*A*S*H Bash Crab Dinner. M*A*S*H theme; costumes encouraged. Live auction and dancing. Supports the Folsom community. $50 (plus corkage fee). 6 p.m. St. John’s Parish Hall, 301 Montrose Drive, Folsom, 916-952-8710

 

9

PCAR (Placer County Association of REALTORS) Foundation’s Crab Feed. Dessert auction. Benefits local students and Placer County charities. $45. 6 p.m. PCAR Conference Center, 270 Technology Way, Rocklin, pcarcrabfeed5.eventbrite.com

10

Kiwanis Roseville Crab and Tri-Tip Dinner. Crab, tri-tip, pasta, and salad catered by Rudy’s Hideaway. Raffles, silent auction and dessert auction, “wall of wine,” and music. Benefits Kiwanis Family House, local school programs and more. $50. 6 p.m. Roseville Sports Center, 1545 Pleasant Grove Boulevard, Roseville, rosevillekiwanis.org

10

Oakmont High School Crab Feed. Silent auction, raffle, dinner, and dancing. Proceeds fund the school’s Booster Club and various activities. $55. 6 p.m. McBean Pavilion, 65 McBean Park Drive, Lincoln, 916-412-3132

10

Roseville Firefighters Crab Feed Fund-raiser. All-you-can-eat crab, Cajun shrimp, and rigatoni. Music, dancing, a silent auction, and raffle. Proceeds support KidsFirst and Lighthouse Counseling and Family Resource Center. $75 (until January 15) then $85. 5:30 p.m. The Grounds, 800 All American City Boulevard, Roseville, rosevillefirefighters.org

16

Sierra College Patrons/Sierra College Aquatics Crab and Shrimp Feed. Cracked crab, shrimp, and coffee. Silent and live auctions and homemade dessert auction. Helps support the aquatics teams and arts and humanities at Sierra College. $50. 6 p.m. McBean Pavilion, 55 McBean Park Drive, Lincoln, sierracollege.edu/events/upcoming/2018/02/crab-feed.php

17

Mother Lode Lions Club Crab and Shimp Feed. Crab, shrimp, and clam chowder. Supports New Morning Youth and Family Services in Placerville. $45. 4 p.m. Mother Lode Lions Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Road, Diamond Springs, 530-622-9381

24

Sacramento Children’s Home Crab Feed and Auction. Live and silent auctions, no-host bar, fresh crab and pasta plus all the fixin’s. Proceeds support the Sacramento Children’s Home and their mission to open doors to the future by maximizing the potential of children and families. $60 ($15 corkage fee). 5 p.m. Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma Street, Folsom, kidshome.org/events

Save the Date

MARCH

17

Emerald Brigade Crab Feed and Auction Fund-raiser. Granite Bay High School’s Emerald Brigade Marching Band students volunteer, and proceeds support music education at the school. $60. 5:30 p.m. Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 6365 Douglas Boulevard, Granite Bay, [email protected]

25

Rotary Club of Roseville Garbolino Seafood Dinner. Includes tri-tip and shrimp. Features performer David Garibaldi and a silent auction. Supports the club’s charitable programs, including Miles of Smiles, plus scholarships, camps and more. $100; tables/sponsorships vary. 5:30 p.m. The Falls Event Center, 240 Conference Center Drive, Roseville, rotaryrsvl.org