-  Join the Hoodland Womens Club at its fifth annual Crab Feed at Mt. Hood RV Village

Five years ago, the Hoodland Women’s Club thought of a way to give back to the community. And since there are few crab feeds at the foot of the mountain, members decided that was the perfect way.

“Getting down and dirty with crab feed bibs sounded like a fun thing to do,” said Women’s Club President Kay Baker.

The event is Saturday, Feb. 8, in the Evergreen Room at Mt. Hood RV Village, 65000 Highway 26 in Welches. Dinner begins at 6:30, and entertainment will be provided throughout the evening. Tickets for the event are $25.

Founded in 1963, the Hoodland Women’s Club has been working to serve the Hoodland community for more than 50 years. In addition to financially supporting community groups and scholarships, the Women’s Club is working on funding a new community center. The project’s budget is $2,238,000. The Hoodland Women’s Club has raised approximately $1.4 million, about 70 percent of its goal.

As this goal is often present in their work, many of the projects headed by members of the Hoodland Women’s Club are fundraisers, but this one is not one of them.

Baker said that despite the rise in crab prices this year, their ticket prices have not gone up. They simply hope to break even and give back to the community with the annual crab feed.

Although the crab is not all you can eat, the event will provide a meal of clam chowder, breadsticks, slaw and dessert. Beef also will be available for guests who cannot eat seafood.

Baker said this year’s event will be unique because of its musical entertainment. The Lost Creek Bluegrass Band will play its own bluegrass music, as well as take suggestions and generally engage the crowd.

“You’re just pulled into it,” Baker said. “I think that’s what people will find with this.”

In addition to crab and bluegrass music, the Women’s Club has organized a raffle so a few lucky community members can go home with prizes. Raffle tickets are $2, and prizes include pieces from local artists and Valentine’s Day themed gift baskets.

The event has room for close to 200 guests and has sold out in the past, so it is possible that tickets may not be available at the door. Welches area community members looking to buy tickets can pick them up at the Welches Clackamas County Bank, Williams Pharmacy and the Welches Liquor Store. Guests from outside the Welches area can reserve tickets by calling Wanita McPherson at 503-622-1756.