Sharing the heritage of the Central Coast’s longstanding fishing tradition, board members of the Avila Beach Community Foundation and the Avila Beach Civic Association are joining together to host the town’s second annual Albacore Feed on Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Community Center in Avila Beach.

“The fundraiser is an exciting and collaborative event for our organizations,” says Rick Cohen, Avila Beach Community Foundation Executive Director.

“We hope to see many members of our groups and the community at large participate,” says Dede Sanfilippo, Executive Director of the Avila Beach Civic Association.

Avila Beach fishermen have been given the task of catching the fish, a tradition that goes back to the 1940s, when Avila Beach’s albacore fleet graced the bay and more than 5,000 pounds of the large tuna were brought onto the Avila Pier nightly, set for local and distant markets such as Fresno and San Pedro.           

The public is invited to attend the Albacore Feed, but no tickets will be sold at the door—they are pre-sale only. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased in person at the Community Center or by calling (805) 627-1997. Tickets are $20 each for adults and $10 each for children 12 years of age and under. Too, diners may select from either the 5 p.m. or the 6:30 p.m. seating times. Take-out orders are also available with the pre-sale tickets. Beer $3 and wine $5 will also be available to purchase.

The meal will include fresh albacore, bread, salad, beans, dessert and a drink.  The deadline to purchase tickets is Oct. 1. The Community Center is located at 191 San Miguel Street, Avila Beach.

For more information, contact the Avila Beach Civic Association at (805) 627-1997. Funds raised at the dinner will be used by the Avila Beach Civic Association to support programs and activities for youth and adults at the Avila Beach Community Center, and by the Avila Beach Community Foundation to support various projects in Avila.