In the 1800s, Dartmouth Grange clambakes were all the rage. Now, it’s all about lobster.

The Dartmouth Grange continued its tradition of hosting a seafood bake fundraiser to benefit the community on July 22. First held as a clambake in the 1800s to raise money for the Grange building, it has morphed into a lobster bake to support the group’s service projects.

“This is the best lobster I’ve had in my life,” said Chris Hall, who heard about the clambake while shopping at Alderbrook Farm.

The focus has also shifted away from clams and towards lobster – and bakemaster Sam Manley has a reason for that.

“We decided to move to lobster because everyone else was doing clambakes,” Manley said after rushing pots full of fresh lobster to a room of about 30 waiting guests.

Back in the 1800s, even during the clambakes, lobster was on the menu for 50 cents, compared to 25 cents for the clambake. Tickets for this year’s lobster bake were $35 per person, and did include a small side of clams.

Although the group is still calculating how much the event brought in, member Julie Manley said 45 tickets had been sold in advance. Proceeds are traditionally used to advance the Grange’s community service projects, and Julie said this year’s will be no exception. She’s already eyeing a donation to support Mass in Motion, a state initiative to promote healthier eating and an active lifestyle.