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Crabfest raises $29,000 for local groups The Rotary Club of Ashland-Lithia Springs is calling this year's 7th Annual Crabfest a success, raising about $29,000 to provide grants to worthy organizations in the Rogue Valley. The annual all-you-can-eat feed held last weekend at Southern Oregon University included 650 pounds of crab and silent and oral auctions. "We are very proud we could raise so much money for community projects and have so much fun doing it," event chair Ali Ross said. This was a phenomenal effort of time, talent and donations. Thank you Ashland! "We'd especially like to thank our corporate sponsors: Key Bank, Gateway Real Estate, Keith Brown Building Material and LTM, Inc. Donations of food and drink by Yummykake and Caldera Brewing helped our profit margin," Ross added. 'Crabman' Alec Sugar (right) joins Roy Marvin (center) and Evan Archerd at Crabfest 2003. Photo courtesy Bob Saunders Some 315 attendees were on hand for the event, held in the Rogue River Room each year. Three hundred items were bid on in the silent and oral auctions. Three items were bid to more than $1,000: Dinner for two at 13 of Ashland's finest restaurants, use of the historic Ashland Armory with chef services, and a nine-piece band and a gourmet dinner for eight with live music. Other donated auction items included original art by various local artists, clothing, weekend getaways, theater tickets, and tennis lessons. One lucky bidder also gets a ride in Mayor Alan DeBoer's antique biplane, Ross noted. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -