While many in town will be attending the coronation of the city’s next queen, the Dowagiac Elks Lodge will still be a hopping place Saturday night.

The lodge hosts its 36th annual Lobster Bash that night at its clubhouse off Riverside Drive, with cocktail hour beginning at 5:30 p.m. and dinner beginning at 7 p.m. Although dinner reservations are currently sold out, people can contact the club at 782-3889 to be placed on a waiting list, or are welcome to come to the club at 8:30 p.m. to enjoy the entertainment and social hour.

In spite of taking place on the same night as the Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant, 170 tickets have been sold for the event so far, up from last year’s total of around 143, said organizer Debbie Krueger.

Initially started by Elks members as a small gathering among friends, the Lobster Bash evolved into a massive dinner event, intended to raise operational funds during the slow winter months, Krueger said.

“The proceeds help keep us going, but the event has now become a tradition for 36 years,” Krueger said. “It is something that everyone looks forward to.”

Guests will be served their choice of sirloin steak or lobster (flown in from Boston) during the dinner, along with salad and baked potato, and ice cream for dessert. Guests will also have the chance to upsize their meal by purchasing raffle tickets prior to the start of dinner, Krueger said.

“Last year, the giant lobster we served weighed more than 7 pounds,” she said. “It was huge.”

Entertainment will be provided by Jeremy Truitt of True Entertainment, who will serve as DJ for the festivities.

Around 18 Elks members will volunteer with the dinner, with five cooking dinner in the club’s kitchen while others help serve and tend to guests. The volunteers will spend Friday night and Saturday afternoon preparing for the service, Krueger said.

For more information, people can contact Krueger at (269) 845-2096.