The Depoe Bay chamber announced that due to growing attendance of their annual crab feed they have outgrown the previous venue at the Depoe Bay community center. As a result the Crab Feed, originally scheduled for Saturday April 20th will now take place on Saturday, May 11th at the Depoe Bay City Park. This needed approval from the Depoe Bay city council. This new location will allow the chamber to accommodate more guests and add even more activities to the event such as music, vendors and crafts.
Mellissa Sumner Chamber Director reported as soon as the decision to move the event was made by the board the chamber contacted suppliers, and partners to confirm the new date would work. After everyone was contacted the announcemen was made public. She said the chamber has connected with everyone who had purchased tickets and they were offered full refunds and the response from guests Sumner said was positive to keep their tickets and come on the new date at the new location. Some even purchased additional tickets. Sumner reported that she only had to refund one full crab meal and two half crab meals.
During the Depoe Bay city council meeting Sumner reported the need for the change of date and asked the city to reserve the park for the new date. She was asked several questions from the council regarding chamber membership and reasoning behind the move. Sumner pointed out there is more interest in attending the event with over 400 expected this year.
Last year there were over 400 who attended during the 5-hour event with over 150 walk ups. The turnover had people waiting in line for a long time last year to get their food, as the community center only holds 76 at a time. With the event at the park they can accomodate more than double that number to be served. There will be shuttle service available as there is not going to be parking at the park area.
A couple of community members made comments against the move that the decision to move the event to another date just a few days before it was originally to be held was not a good idea and didn't make the city look good. Another community member supported the chamber in their efforts to bring tourism to Depoe Bay and pointed out that the venue needed to move because of the popularity of the event and how it has grown. If you want tickets or more information go to the Depoe Bay Chamber of Commerce facebook page.
