Give your sweetheart ‘Crabs’ for Valentines at the Charleston Crab Feed, Feb. 13

Join the Charleston community in celebrating Oregon’s fresh Dungeness crab harvest at the 30th Annual Charleston Merchants Crab Feed on Saturday, Feb. 14. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the “old” Charleston Elementary School, 64065 Seven Devils Road. This is the main fundraiser for the Charleston Visitors Center, but also provides assistance to Charleston Food Bank, Shore Acres Holiday Lights and other needs in the Charleston community. “There is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day and Oregon’s tasty fresh Dungeness crab than to join the party at the Charleston Crab Feed,” said Harbormaster Mike Dunning. “Our Dungeness crab fishery is certified sustainable and this festival is certifiably fun.” Volunteers will serve whole or half fresh crab dinners with side dishes, garlic bread, a beverage and cake dessert. Projected prices, subject to market changes, are $14 for a half-crab lunch and $18 for a whole crab meal. There will be crab bibs for all and Charleston merchants will host prize drawings during the festival. Make a weekend of it and while you’re in Charleston visit Shore Acres, Sunset Bay and Cape Arago State Parks, along with the interpretive center and hiking trails at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. All are popular recreation spots just minutes away. The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay also provides free loaner life jackets outside of the Charleston Marina office for families who visit the public docks during the Crab Feed and year-round. The volunteer members of the Wild Women of Charleston, and a few wild men, will be the servers for this year’s Crab Feed, but they aren’t the highlight of this annual event. “The star celebrity is fresh, delicious Oregon Dungeness crab caught by Charleston fishermen,” said Wild Woman Ruth Barker. “You don’t want to miss this party; get crackin’ and come to Charleston.”