It’s going to be one delicious evening. But don’t tell the lobsters. 

More than 300 crustaceans are expected to descend into boiling water at the Activity Centre on Saturday evening, providing the basis of a fundraising dinner that has become a key event in the Jasper social calendar.

“It’s our big annual fundraiser,” said Rob McGugan, president of the Jasper chapter of Rotary International, the group that has been running the Lobster Fest for the past nine years. In terms of the cash raised by the banquet, big is indeed the operative word.

“In the past two years, the ballpark figure is around $19 to $22 thousand raised. It’s a big event,” McGugan said.

With upwards of 200 people typically in attendance, it’s no wonder that the lobsters will be abundant. While local Rotarians take on responsibilities like serving and manning the buffet, the lobster cooking is left in the expert hands of Finn Seafood from Edmonton, a firm that donates the time and equipment for preparing the dinner. Everything else, however, is up to the Rotary members and rumour has it that one Fitzhugh publisher has a trademark dance he likes to unleash on the unsuspecting  backroom volunteers whilst washing up. 

The ticket price isn’t the only means for fundraising, as Lobster Fest also features a live and silent auction of items donated by Jasper businesses and benefactors from around the province. When all the cash is tallied up, it will go to support the many projects the Jasper Rotary Club is involved in.

“Most of it goes toward local projects, but it also goes to some of our projects around the world, like what we’re involved with in Rwanda and to support exchange students,” said McGugan.

With cocktails at six and dinner beginning at seven, hockey fanatics were to be catered to, with the Stanley Cup Finals broadcast during the event. However, Oilers supporters have to wait until Game One on Monday (June 5) to see their team in action.