The Crittenden, Eclipse and Hobson Ruritans are gearing up for their annual oyster roast to take place next week.

The Ruritan Club will host its eighth annual oyster roast Nov. 12 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Ruritan Hall on Eclipse Drive.

Club president Mike Page said the Ruritans continue to host the event because people enjoy it so much.

“It get better ever year,” Page said. “We’ll hold them until we don’t sell any more tickets.”

The menu features roasted and raw oysters, homemade oyster fritters and clam chowder. Attendees will be treated to live music from The BadDadz from 3 to 5 p.m.

Tickets are available in advance for $25 and at the door for $30.

The roast is one of the club’s largest fundraisers of the year, along with their Bands, Beer and Barbecue held in the spring.

For the event, the Ruritans will roast 40 to 50 bushels of oysters, all of which are plucked from the James River by Johnson and Sons Seafood. Using a 600-gallon fuel tank that’s been cut in half, members roast the oysters the day of the event.

Page said the money the club raises from the oyster roast goes to helping the community.

“The money is raised to help people who can’t afford food for Thanksgiving and Christmas,” he said. “We also give a scholarship away every year.”

Some of the funds are used for the upkeep of the Ruritan Hall, as well, Page said.

“It’s not for our profit,” he said.

Page said he encourages people to come out and enjoy themselves. The roast is family-friendly, and hot dogs will be available for children to eat.

The club hopes to have 600 to 700 people attend the event, he said.

For more information or to buy tickets, contact Mike Page at 617-4711 or any other member of the C.E.&H. Ruritan Club.