GUNNISON, Colo. - Attendees can get an early look at this year's auction packages, silent auction lots, shot glass prizes, bucket/pint items, choice card game prizes and table prizes ahead of Saturday's 18th Annual Sam Boyd / Mountaineer Athletic Association Crab Feed Dinner and Auction presented by United Companies and Lacy Construction. This year's auction features 26 packages in 23 lots, over 30 shot glass prizes, 15 bucket/pint glass items, 13 silent auction items and four card draw prizes.
 
Tickets are almost sold-out for the largest annual fundraising event for Mountaineer student-athletes. People looking to purchase tickets ($65 per person) can call the Western Athletics Department at 970-943-2079, or go online while seats remain.  Corporate and VIP tables, as well as underwriting opportunities (includes additional exposure) are also still available as well.
 
This year's theme is 1970s. Attendees are encouraged to dress in 1970s attire and decorate their tables accordingly.
 
On Friday night, a day before the Crab Feed, Western Athletics is hosting a 1970s Dance at the Elks Lodge in Gunnison. The dance is open to everyone, ages 21 or older, and begins at 7 p.m. on Friday before the Crab Feed Dinner & Auction the following night. A $10 cover will be charged at the door and a full cash bar will be available.
 
Like previous years, attendees can purchase shot glasses, for $10 and choose a numbered glass, 1-140. The glass can then be taken to the prize table to win the corresponding item. People that purchase a shot glass have a 1-in-3 chance of winning.
 
Commemorative pint glasses are $20 and come with 10 tickets. Tickets can then be spread across 15 different items. The winners will be drawn at the end of the meal before the auction begins.
 
Additional pint/bucket tickets can also be earned by winning games of chance between 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
 
The dinner takes place at the Fred Field Western Heritage Center at the Gunnison County Fairgrounds, and includes an all-you-can-eat dinner of fresh Pacific Dungeness crab, pasta, salad and beverages. Doors open at 4 p.m. with dinner at 5 p.m. and the auction at 6:30 p.m.
 
Members of the Mountaineer volleyball, women's soccer and football teams will help the Gunnison Community School first graders work on the crab decorations Thursday afternoon. The student-athletes help the first graders with putting the finishing touches on the crabs for Saturday's event.
 
The annual Crab Feed serves as the largest fundraiser each year for Mountaineer Athletics with money raised going towards scholarships for Western Colorado University student-athletes. In the 16 years of the event, the MAA has raised over $470,000.