4th annual crab fest takes place Saturday

Get your crab crackers ready, the fourth annual St. Paddy’s Day Crab Fest will make its return this weekend.

Held at the NyE Communities Coalition activities room, 1020 E. Wilson Road, the festivities will kick off Saturday at 6 p.m.

Around 150 tickets have been sold to the event at $50 a piece, a bit higher than previous years due to increased crab prices, with all of the proceeds going to the Pioneer Territory CASA, Inc. Last year the event sold out and was able to raise around $10,000 for CASA, a program to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children.

The crab is imported from the Pacific Northwest and arrives the day before the event, making sure it is as fresh as crab can be in the middle of the desert.

In addition to crab, there will also be chicken, salad and fried dishes, to accommodate those who want to take part but aren’t particularly fond of the crustacean cuisine.

“It’s one of these things that’s grown over the years as more people hear about it,” Willi Baer, Executive Director of Pioneer Territory CASA, Inc. said. “They enjoy it because it is a lot of fun, besides being delicious.”

Also on slate for Saturday along with the meal are raffles and a live auction, which will feature prizes ranging from $500 in various gift cards for the raffle winners, to a hot air balloon ride and a jetpack experience at Spring Mountain speedway for the auction winners.

If you have any questions about the event call 775-513-9514.