ESTEVAN — The Rotary Club of Estevan's annual Lobsterfest, held at Affinity Place on June 21, brought the community together for a fun and relaxed night of fine dining and fundraising.
Despite a slight decrease in ticket sales compared to last year, the event was a success, with attendees enjoying a delicious Atlantic lobster and steak feast, along with socializing and watching Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers on the central score clock.
"We were down in ticket sales this year from last year, but it was still a good time and a good turnout. We had about 650 attendees. And we had a really good response from the businesses around town for the auction," said Terry Williams, president of the Rotary Club of Estevan.
She said the business community support was extraordinary this year.
"Everyone, every company we asked, they donated something to the auction, and we had some amazing prizes," Williams added. "More people were more generous this year."
The auction featured a variety of prizes, including a notable pilot training or a flight for three passengers, donated by Southeast Aviation, a concrete bench from Four Seasons Rental and Repair and many other impressive prizes.
"There were so many nice things. I feel that the community has really stepped up this year," Williams said.
The culinary aspect of the event also received high praise, including the desserts provided by EB's Dining.
Logistics for the event were significantly improved this year, thanks to the donation of a trailer from the local fire department. It allowed for a more efficient setup and teardown, ensuring that the event ran smoothly not only for the guests, but for the organizers and other volunteers as well.
While the cost of hosting the event has risen due to increased prices, the Rotary Club chose not to raise ticket prices, which resulted in slightly reduced funds to reinvest into the community. However, Williams emphasized that the community's support remains strong, and the club will continue to fund local projects.
"If local non-profits or charitable organizations need help, they should ask Rotary," Williams said.
This year's Lobsterfest continued to uphold the tradition of the event, which began in 1997, and the organizers received a lot of positive compliments from the attendees. Williams noted they had a lot of support, which made the event successful.
"We had help from the Estevan Exhibition Association, who we helped with their fair, and that was great this year. And of course, we had Strippers [hockey club] at the end [serving drinks]. The city staff helped. So it went really well," Williams said.
Although it is too early to determine the exact amount raised, the funds will support some of Rotary's international projects, but mostly various local initiatives. The Rotary Club of Estevan has previously funded a range of projects, including donations to the Estevan Early Years Family Resource Centre, the Estevan District Music Festival, the Estevan Public Youth Centre and the Salvation Army, among many others.
As the Rotary Club of Estevan transitions to new leadership, the focus remains on supporting the community through both large and small projects, Williams said.
The club also continues to welcome new members and appreciates the ongoing support from the community.
"If anyone wants to be a Rotarian, it's a really good cause," Williams concluded.
For more information on how to support the Rotary Club of Estevan or to get involved, please visit their social media or contact a local member.
