<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1h6DXV_1EnoxRYf00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1h6DXV_1EnoxRYf00" width="1500" height="1000" ><figcaption>Beth and Will enjoy a slice at Giovanni's Pizza during the 2025 Carpinteria Crawl. This year's crawl is slated for Thursday, Sept. 17. 2025 CVN FILE PHOTO BY ROBIN KARLSSON</figcaption></figure>Carpinteria diners will have a chance to eat their way through town this month as the Carpinteria Community Association brings back its Culinary Crawl, an evening designed to showcase local restaurants and businesses while raising money for local high school students.The Culinary Crawl returns Thursday, Sept. 17, from 4:30 to 9 p.m., inviting participants to “Sip. Savor. Stroll.” their way through Carpinteria, sampling food and drinks from 18 participating restaurants and businesses.For Carpinteria Community Association board members Karen Graf and Lori Bowles, who are helping organize the event, the Crawl is as much about discovering the local business community as it is about the food.“We want attendees to feel a sense of adventure as they sample offerings from restaurants they already know and discover some they may not be familiar with,” Graf said. “More than anything, we want it to feel like a fun community evening, strolling through town, trying something new and enjoying Carpinteria together.”The Culinary Crawl predates the Community Association. The event was originally introduced by Joyce Donaldson, then CEO of the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce, and was held by the chamber for a couple of years before the COVID pandemic put it on hiatus. This marks the second year the Community Association has hosted the event.Bowles said bringing the Crawl back made sense for an organization whose mission has increasingly included supporting and celebrating Carpinteria businesses.“The CCA is very supportive of our local businesses and the community as a whole, and the Culinary Crawl is a fun way to demonstrate that support,” Bowles said.This year, 13 businesses will serve samples at their locations, while another five will provide desserts and refreshments at the evening’s final stop at the Carpinteria Arts Center. Organizers said the lineup includes both returning participants and newcomers to the Crawl.Participating restaurants and businesses are Casa Don Roge, Coyote’s Market, Dang Burger, Giovanni’s Pizza, Mollie’s Kitchen, Pacific Health Foods, Sushi Teri, Tacos Don Roge, The Nugget, Third Window Brewing Co., Uncle Chen Restaurant, Yummy Yogurt and Zookers Restaurant.Desserts and refreshments at the Carpinteria Arts Center will be provided by Albertsons, Carp Café Moon, Island Brewing Company, Jack’s Bistro and Reynaldo’s European &amp; Mexican Bakery.“And after the Crawl’s final stop at the Carpinteria Arts Center, Arnie’s Rooftop Bar invites participants to keep the evening going with one last sip of the town,” Bowles said.Exactly what awaits Crawlers at each stop is intentionally kept a surprise.“Each restaurant decides what it would like to offer, so part of the fun is seeing what awaits you at each stop,” Graf said. “Some establishments also offer drink specials in addition to their food samples.”Graf said participants last year commented on the generosity of the restaurants, meaning Crawlers should find plenty to eat along the route.The evening begins with check-in on the patio near Chase Bank at the Casitas Plaza Shopping Center. Participants receive a Culinary Crawl apron and a map showing the participating businesses. There is no prescribed route: Crawlers can follow the map in order, reverse it or jump from stop to stop however they choose.That freedom to wander is an important part of the event.“The event gets people out walking through Carpinteria, exploring places they may not normally visit, and appreciating what a gem our town really is — all while enjoying some wonderful food along the way,” Bowles said.The evening also has a larger purpose. Proceeds from the Crawl benefit the Junior Carpinterian of the Year Scholarship Fund.The Community Association’s largest annual event is the Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet, which honors local residents and businesses, including the Carpinterian of the Year and three Junior Carpinterian of the Year finalists. Culinary Crawl proceeds help fund scholarships for all three student finalists.“It’s a very worthy and meaningful way to use the proceeds from the event,” Graf said.The Crawl also reflects how the Community Association’s role has expanded. The organization was formed to continue the tradition of keeping the Community Awards Banquet a local event, but its activities have grown to include ribbon cuttings, community events and other efforts supporting Carpinteria businesses.“The Culinary Crawl fits perfectly with that mission because it celebrates our businesses, our residents and the strong sense of community that makes Carpinteria so special,” Bowles said.More than 150 people participated last year, and organizers are preparing for an even larger crowd this year. Tickets are limited in part by the number of commemorative Culinary Crawl aprons available, and organizers are encouraging participants to purchase early.Graf and Bowles hope the Crawl will become an annual Carpinteria tradition.“It showcases our restaurants and businesses while bringing residents and visitors together for a fun evening in town,” Graf said. “We absolutely see it becoming an annual tradition, and who knows how it might grow in the years ahead!”And for anyone still wondering whether an evening of wandering around town eating sounds worthwhile, Bowles offered a simple pitch:“Come join us for a fun culinary adventure! You’ll get to taste samples from some great local restaurants, stroll through town with friends, support a wonderful cause — and you even get a cool Culinary Crawl apron to take home. What’s not to love?”</div></body>

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Carpinteria diners will have a chance to eat their way through town this month as the Carpinteria Community Association brings back its Culinary Crawl, an evening designed to showcase local restaurants and businesses while raising money for local high school students. The Culinary Crawl returns Thursday, Sept. 17, from 4:30...

Culinary Crawl dishes up local flavor

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Carpinteria diners will have a chance to eat their way through town this month as the Carpinteria Community Association brings back its Culinary Crawl, an 

Culinary Crawl dishes up local flavor

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