Maine lobsters. Fresh drawn butter. More Maine lobsters. More butter. That’s the drill at the annual Claws for a Cause Lobster Block Party, returning to C.B. Hannegan’s Sept. 9. The all-you-can-eat lobster party will celebrate its 13th year raising money for local art, music and literacy programs.

It’s co-sponsored by the Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club and C.B. Hannegan’s.

“We’re really happy to be able to team up again with our friends from C.B. Hannegan’s,” co-chairman Dan Lawson said. “What’s really enjoyable is seeing a sea of people having a wonderful time. The food is terrific, the music is great and the cause is worthwhile.”

Morning Rotary expects to order 3,000 live lobsters that will be delivered the day of the party. The club hopes to sell 1,000 to 1,100 tickets and is once again expecting a sellout.

Tickets are $95 at lglobsterparty.com.

“A little known option is if you buy 10 tickets we can reserve a table for you. That way your entire group can sit together,” Lawson said. “There is an additional charge of $10 per ticket, but it’s worth it for the convenience.”

In addition to lobster, tri-tip, salad and garlic bread are on the menu.

But it’s the lobsters that are the real draw.

“They’re delivered packed in ice, and we cook them fresh on site,” Lawson said. “Our cooks have this down to an exact science. They’re constantly monitoring the water temperatures and timers, so they’re cooked to perfection.”

A portion of Bachman Avenue will be closed during the event, which spreads into adjacent parking areas in and around Hannegan’s.

“The Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts, Los Gatos High School Music Boosters and volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all help us put on the party, from setup to serving and cleanup to breakdown,” Lawson said. “We have about 100 volunteers altogether, plus C.B. Hannegan’s staff does a phenomenal job providing all the other food that’s served.”

The meal can get a bit messy once all the crackin’ starts, so bibs are provided as well.

Lobster and fixings are available from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The popular group the Hitmen are set to perform from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Claws for a Cause is one of Morning Rotary’s biggest annual fundraisers; they expect to raise about $35,000 this year.

“The funds we raise go into our club’s foundation and are distributed to local programs,” Lawson. “Morning Rotary’s mission is to support the arts and music in Los Gatos. We also fund the Lighting for Literacy program that ties in with Rotary International’s global efforts to help humanity.”

Lighting for Literacy was co-founded by Morning Rotary member Doug McNeil. Local youths build sustainable, renewable lighting systems that can provide three to four hours of light to homes that don’t have electricity. Its aim is to help underserved children study at night.

Lawson says the program is an example of how Rotarians, and service clubs in general, help improve people’s lives.

“When I joined Morning Rotary, I was looking for a way to make a difference,” he said. “What I found was a group of professionals I could reach out to for services and friends I could connect with. People interested in joining a group should investigate Rotary.”

Morning Rotary meets Wednesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. at the Los Gatos Lodge.

Visit lgmorningrotary.club for more information.