Editor’s note: A previous version of this story contained an incorrect address for the Ocosta Rec. Hall.
When it comes to access to seafood delicacies, we’re a bit spoiled here in coastal Washington, especially on the Harbor, where Westport is one of the most bountiful commercial fishing ports in the nation.
And even more fortunate, we live right in the heart of the Pacific Ocean’s Dungeness crab fishery, a species even named for a little fishing town up north.
Whenever there’s a raging culinary debate about the best crab species to eat — and there are about 850 different species in the world — Dungeness is always in the mix for that top spot.
And that brings us to the 23rd annual Ocosta Booster Club All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feed to be held on Saturday, March 14, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Ocosta Recreation Hall.
If you’re a crab lover, this is one of your best opportunities to load up — and people know that.
In its best year, the event served 778 all-you-can-eat meals, with regular attendance just about always around 650 or upward, according to Kevin Hatton, athletic director at Ocosta High School and a member of its class of 1993.
“I’m a lifer,” he says of his involvement with the crab feed since his high school days. “I’ve done it off and on, but I’d say I’ve been there for about 15 of those 23 years.”
Hatton says feeding all those people involves getting a lot of help from the local crabbers and crab processors, as almost all of the the Dungeness consumed each year is donated to the cause, which helps support Ocosta High athletics and provides scholarships for college-bound Ocosta graduates.
“Every dollar the booster club makes goes back to the kids,” said Hatton.
Hatton says feeding that yearly throng involves procuring almost 2,000 pounds — that’s literally a ton of crab — each year.
“We generally plan to serve about 2,000 pounds of sections,” said Hatton. “We do a major donation process with individual (crab) boats and processors. We’ll work with anyone willing to hear us out.”
Hatton noted that local companies such as Westport-based Pacific Seafood, Ocean Gold Seafood, Westport Seafood, along with South Bend Products and Nelson Crab in Tokeland all chip in generously, with Pacific Seafood working as the clearing house and processor of all the donated crab.
Hatton says most people will eat a modest amount of crab during the dinner, but there are some who take this event very seriously.
“There are always a few groups of people who will get there and be there for three or four hours eating crab,” he said. “There’s even a tour group out of the Vancouver-Portland area that brings a bus load of people each year.”
“It’s well-renowned,” Hatton said of the event’s growing reputation. “There are not a lot of crab feeds that are ‘all-you-can-eat,’ but ours is truly all-you-can-eat!”
Tickets to the feast are $30 for those 13 years and older, $15 for ages 6 to 12 and free for those 5 and under. They can be purchased at the door of the Ocosta Rec Hall at 45 Ocosta 6th St. Dinner includes spaghetti, garlic bread and coleslaw. Beverages are sold separately, and credit and debit cards are accepted.
File Photo A pile of ready-to-eat Dungeness crab awaits diners at the a past Ocosta Booster Club All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feed, which takes place this year on Saturday, March 14.
