Crab lovers can eat to heart's content at Stampeder's big fundraiser Saturday

ELGIN --- The Stampeders will be wearing their smiles, their spurs and their chuck wagon aprons at the grand-daddy of all feeds at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Elgin Stampede Hall.

 The all-you-can-eat crab feed is the group's most popular event next to the Stampede rodeo, attracting upwards of 800 hungry crab lovers from southwest Washington, Northeast Oregon and Idaho. 

 "As far as anyone can remember, the first crab feed began in 1951 at the Legion Hall," said Bud Scoubes, co-chairman of the event. "Back then, we bought the crab and had crab pickers pick off the meat. Sometime in the 1960s, we started buying the fresh crab in cans."

It's been over 60 years, and the crab feed is still one of the most popular feed events in this region. 

"It's one of the greatest times to get all the Stampeders together," said Stampede director Rocky Burgess, "and it's one of our best fundraisers."

 On the menu is fresh, shelled crab meat with garlic bread and homemade side dishes, including potato salad, baked beans and coleslaw, all served family-style at each table. The fresh crab meat comes from Astoria and is placed in 5-pound cans just prior to being transported on ice to Elgin. At the Stampede grounds, it's kept in a refrigerated unit until it's served on the table.

 The grocery list for the feed is impressive and includes 30 dozen eggs, 65 pounds of cabbage for coleslaw, 20 pounds of onions, 200 pounds of potatoes, five tubs of mayonnaise, four cases of beans for baked beans, 140 loaves of French bread ordered through the Corner Market in Elgin and 30 pounds of margarine that is later whipped up with seasonings.

The Stampeders will begin food preparation early Friday, and they won't stop until the feed begins. To accomplish this, more than a dozen Stampeders will lead committees to get the work done.

"It's an amazing thing to see. If you just stand out of their way and make sure they have everything they need, just watch them go to work," said Scoubes.

 Among those committee leaders is Odies Payne, who will act in an advisory role this year, passing his responsibilities onto younger ones. Payne joined the Stampeders in 1957 and has been working at the crab feed ever since, purchasing the groceries and ushering. He was been president of the Stampeders from 1978-1980, and in 2008, he was honored as a charter member of the Legends of the Elgin Stampede.

 Another committee chairwoman is Lara Moore, who is busy with advertising and promotion for the event. Scottie Payne will make the trip to Astoria for the crab and deliver it to the Stampede grounds.

Early on Friday, Cindy Wilhelm's committee will start preparing the potato salad; Kelly Baker's team will get the baked beans with bacon cookin'; Melody Payne's group will make the crab dip sauce; and Ellie Peterson's workers will cut, chop and get the coleslaw made. 

 Rocky Burgess will be supervising his crew of eight crab dippers, who keep the serving bowls filled with cold crab. 

 "Eat all the crab you can," he said. "It's fresh, not frozen. We ice it up and keep the cans cool. It's stirred up and served cold in serving bowls."

 Hoby Wilhelm's team will set up and clean up. Saturday morning, Sheree Evans and Therese Wiles begin making garlic bread. Robby Moore is in charge of the dish washers, who will rotate and make sure everything is kept sanitized. 

 Russ Smith is in charge of the coffee crew, and they will be offering coffee to all the folks waiting in line outside. They will also serve people inside. Jerry Williams' crew will usher people to their tables, and Kelly Smith will be in charge of the waitresses.

 Laurie Kimble is managing ticket sales at the door. 

"There are no advance ticket sales," said Burgess. "It's first-come, first-served, and the door opens at 4 p.m."

 Prices for the feed increased by about $3 a ticket this year.

The feed costs $30 for adults; $28 for seniors 65 and older; $20 for kids 8-12; and $9 for kids 7 and younger.

"It's been four years since we raised our prices," said Scoubes, "but we had to this year because the price of crab went through the ceiling."

The crab feed is a major fundraiser that keeps the Stampede grounds maintained and helps pay for improvements. Recent improvements include the new archway, added seating and the concession stand.

 "The crab feed is a tradition and costs do go up, but crab eaters are willing to come once a year and get their fill," said Scoubes.