Candidates for local and state office in Arlington did some last-minute glad-handing at the 40th annual Kiwanis Club of Arlington Oyster Feast and BBQ on Saturday night.

Held at the American Service Center garage in Ballston, the feast attracted dozens of diners who paid $40 per head for unlimited oysters, burgers, hot dogs, barbeque and beer. Money raised at the event “helps to fund community youth projects and grants for other educational and non-profit organizations focusing on children in Arlington.”

The pre-Election Day event always attracts a large contingent of political candidates, who take the time to individually greet members of the civic-minded crowd — in between chowing down on fried food. Among the attendees was County Board member and state Senate candidate Barbara Favola, who’s facing off against Republican Caren Merrick in one of the most closely-watched local races in Northern Virginia.

Favola said she’s feeling optimistic heading into Tuesday, thanks to some unspecified internal statistics her campaign has been observing as of late. Merrick also attended the oyster feast, but were unable to catch up with her for comment.