NORWICH – This year will mark the 36th anniversary of the fundraiser billed by Chenango County’s Republican Committee Chairman Tom Morrone as the area’s most “non-political” of political events: Lobster Fest.

This year’s version of the annual event, which serves as the sole fundraiser for the committee, will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 18 at the Canasawacta Country Club.

According to Morrone, the event is a chance for people to “kibitz” with local and state officials in a social atmosphere. Lobster Fest is known to draw people from across Chenango as well as from neighboring counties, he said – and not all of them Republican.

“We do have people from the other side of the aisle who come every year,” he explained. One of those he mentioned who often attends is Assemblyman Bill Magee, the Madison County Democrat who heads the Assembly Agriculture Committee.

Among the dignitaries in attendance this year will be the “Master of Lobster Fest” himself, Clarence “Rapp” Rappleyea, who Morrone says started the event in the mid-70s.

Also on the guest list are Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio; Harry Wilson, who is vying for the office of state comptroller; Bruce A. Blakeman, the Republican front-runner challenging Kirsten Gillibrand for her senate seat in November; and Richard Hanna, who will challenge Mike Arcuri once more for the honor of representing New York’s 24th Congressional District.

Lazio, Wilson, Blakeman and Hanna have all been endorsed by the Chenango County Republicans in the upcoming election, Morrone reported.

The county Republican party has also endorsed Senators Tom Libous and Jim Seward, as well as Assemblymen Cliff Crouch, Gary Finch and Pete Lopez in their respective bids for re-election. All are expected to attend Lobster Fest, as is William E. Evans, who has also been endorsed by local party leaders as he seeks another term as county treasurer.