37th Annual Shrimporee

The Bay Area community will be out in force Saturday as Space Center Rotary holds its 37th annual Shrimporee Festival and Auction.

It's from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Clear Lake Park's Landolt Pavilion, with Shrimporee Chairman Mike Dennard extending an invitation to all the residents around the lake. Proceeds for the fundraiser will benefit Hope Village and the CCISD Synergistic Lab as well as other local and international projects.

Admission to the family fun event is free with freshly cooked shrimp and brisket plates cooked and prepared by Rotarians and available for purchase for $15. A hot dog plate for children that includes a bag of chips, a hot dog and a drink or bottle water will be $2. Soft drinks and bottled water will sell for $1 and beer and wine for $2. To go meals also will be available.  Children six years of age and under will receive a free meal consisting of a hotdog, a bag of chips, and a soft drink or bottled water.  The free meal tickets will be handed out at the serving lines when the child is accompanied by a person with a meal ticket.  For those with a sweet tooth, the Women of Rotary will have their usual dessert booth, selling a variety of brownies, cakes, and other savories.

As the crowd is enjoying lunch and visiting with one another, Judge Louie Ditta and Port Commissioner Steve Phelps will conduct the live auction starting at 1 p.m. , and deputies from Constable Bill Bailey's officer will be on hand to ID kids, including Chief Deputy Phil Sandlin.  Dr. Vissett Sun will test children's eyes, plus a number of safety, health and educational activities are planned.

An David Yurman 18 carat yellow gold heart necklace donated by Lewis Jewelers will go to the lucky winner in the raffle, Dennard said, adding that tickets are $10 each and may be purchased at the Shrimporee.