Tickets on Sale for 2026 Crab Fest to Benefit Foster Youth

Tickets are on sale for the 2026 Annual Crab Fest, a benefit dinner hosted to raise funds for ACORN, the local organization that supports foster children involved in the court system. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at the Nye Communities Coalition, 1020 E. Wilson Rd., Pahrump. Doors will open at 5 p.m., with dinner served at 6 p.m. Attendance is capped at 200 guests and tickets are $100 each.

Organizers say the evening will feature an all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab dinner with a chicken option for guests who prefer an alternative protein. The night will also include raffles, a silent auction and a live auction. Sponsorship packages are available with tiered names such as Captain’s Table and Pirate’s Table. Raffle tickets are being sold for a one-week vacation to Kaua‘i, and other cash prizes will be offered. Organizers are encouraging donations of auction items and community sponsorships to bolster fundraising.

With a 200-person limit, ticket sales alone could generate up to $20,000, with additional revenue expected from sponsorships, auctions and raffle proceeds. Those funds are intended to support ACORN’s programs for children navigating the foster care and court systems, populations that often face complex medical, behavioral and social needs as they move through care and legal processes. Community fundraising events like Crab Fest can help fill gaps left by limited public funding, providing services and supports that affect long-term health and stability for these children.

The event also raises questions of accessibility and equity. A $100 ticket price and limited seating mean that the dinner will attract a financially limited slice of the community, while sponsorships may draw local businesses and donors with greater capacity to contribute. Organizers are appealing for donated auction items and sponsorships as a way to widen participation and increase the total funds available for direct services.

Public health considerations are practical for any large shared-food event. Attendees with allergies or dietary restrictions should plan ahead, and organizers will be expected to follow food safety and venue health regulations. Beyond immediate logistics, the fundraiser highlights broader policy issues in Nye County and statewide about how foster care and court-involved youth are supported, and where community resources must supplement public programs.

By combining a community meal with fundraising activities, Crab Fest aims to marshal local energy and private dollars for children in need. For residents and local leaders, the event offers a tangible opportunity to invest in social supports that affect child health, family stability and long-term community wellbeing.