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By Katie Holland

Staff Writer

Members of the Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club are gearing up to serve some mouth-watering crustaceans to some hungry people during their third annual Shrimp Fest on Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Sampson Agri-Exposition Center.

Frank Bradshaw, president of the lunchtime Rotary group, explained that with this being one of the two main fund-raising activities for the club, it is one “tasty” way to give back to the community.

And, the Rotary Club just doesn’t just give back to a a few. According to Bradshaw, it helps give back to several agencies, including the Clinton Area Foundation for Education, Sampson Community College, Harrells Christian Academy, Lake Waccamaw Boys and Girls Home, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce, the Arts Council, United Way, Open Door Ministries, Sampson County Meth Task Force, Vial of Life and the Sampson County Crisis Center.

And Bradshaw said he was happy to say that 100 percent of the funds raised will go back into these types of projects again this year.

Not only will the money raised stay local, so will the business, since the Rotarians are using the Oasis to cater the fund-raising, which includes jumbo boiled shrimp and all the fixins’.

The entire atmosphere, Bradshaw said, will be one of fun, with a back-to-the beach theme that will have everyone there enjoying great music and good fellowship at the same time they are chowing down on some “great food.”

“It will be a lot of fun, and we will have plenty of food,” said Bradshaw.

He also explained that the event will be one that the entire family can enjoy. Those families who may be concerned that the $25 price of the ticket may be a little steep for the small appetite should not worry, the president pointed out, because hot dogs will be on sale at the event for the youngsters.

With the club hoping to draw some 350 people to the event again this year, the Rotary president said that shrimp was the logical choice of food, since so many love the tasty crustacean and have enjoyed the event in the past.

“If they loved it before; they’ll love it even more this year,” Bradshaw promised.

“Shrimp has a wide appeal to the public. It is the most popular seafood,” said Bradshaw. And, he adds these are not just one’s ordinary popcorn shrimp, “these are jumbo shrimp.”

To coincide with this year’s Shrimp Fest, a drawing contest is under way in the city and county schools, with elementary students submitting there best Shrimp Fest picture for showing and competition.

Student-drawn art will be displayed at the event, said Rotary Club member Ron Faircloth who said he is also hopeful that lots of families will come out next Thursday to eat some shrimp.

“It will be a lot of fun for the family,” said Faircloth.

For more information about the Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club or to purchase a ticket to the Shrimp Fest, call The Sampson Independent at 592-8137 ext. 112 or see a Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club member.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.