Santa Maria Sun / News

Celebrate cupid with crab

BY AMY ASMAN

Eating crab can be both decadent and messy. There’s nothing quite like tying on a plastic bib, cracking open a crab leg, extracting the pink meat, and dipping it in clarified butter.

Locals who love eating crab will get their chance to chow down on the delicious crustacean at the fifth annual Cruzin for Life All-You-Can-Eat Valentine’s Crab Feast on Feb. 9 at the Santa Maria Fairpark, 937 S. Thornburg St. For $60, dinner attendees will get their fill of crab, chicken, and beef, as well as all the sides and fixings of a Santa Maria-style barbecue. All proceeds from the event will benefit Marian Cancer Care, which provides support and prevention services to the community.

“Some people love crab and will say, ‘Oh, I want to go to this!’ But they might have a significant other who doesn’t like crab,” Cruzin for Life board vice president Cindy Alvarado said. “We’ll have a gourmet green salad; then there are red potatoes, beans, salsa, and bread.”

Guests will also get to enjoy the classic rock vibes of Freight Train while they feast.

“The No. 1 reason to come is that it’s a good cause and a good time. We have so much fun,” Alvarado said.

The nonprofit has donated more than $500,000 to Marian Cancer Care over the years, including funds to purchase a patient transport van, to pay for operating costs at Camp Reach for the Stars, and to fund scholarships for high school students battling cancer.

Tickets to the feast can be purchased online at cruzinforlife.net or at a la carte furniture store, 238 E. Betteravia Road, Suite B, in Santa Maria. The organization is accepting table reservations for parties of eight or more people.

Managing Editor Amy Asman compiled this week’s Community Corner. Information should be sent to the Sun via mail, e-mail, or fax.