One of the hottest tickets in town Saturday was the Dana Point lobster fest, which benefited children's charities and was hosted by the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club.

At this year's lobster fest, held at Doheny State Beach, there were 470 guests; last year's attendance was 250.

All proceeds will go to children's charities. Here is a list of some of the organizations and types of children's programs that the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club supports:

• Best Buddies
• Boys & Girls Clubs
• Boy Scout Troop 774
• CJA Peter Hess Scholarship
• Coastal Mountain Youth Academy
• Community college scholarships for high school students in need
• Dana Hills High School Students of the Month
• Kids Connected
• Kids Who Care Foundation
• Kinship Center
• Malcom Elementary School
• Mission Basilica-Mission Hospital Outreach
• Ocean Institute
• Pacific Marine Mammal Center
• Peaceful Warriors Martial Arts
• Rotary Foundation-Polio Plus
• San Joaquin Drama Club
• Shea Center
• South Orange County School of the Arts at Dana Hills High School
• South Coast YMCA

The event included a silent auction, music, dancing and a no-host bar, as well as an all-you-can-eat gourmet lobster and steak dinner prepared by chef Louis Lepe of the St. Regis and Salt Creek Grill.

"Last year we ordered 230 lobsters, but this year we ordered enough for 500," said Rotary member Russ Kerr. "It's a great event that draws people together for a good cause, and who doesn't like lobster?"

Next year's event has already been scheduled for June 30—same place, same time.