Seal Beach Lions to Fry up Fishy Fun

By Jessica Burger

Grab the tartar sauce ― the annual Lions Club International Fish Fry is back this weekend.

One of the Seal Beach’s longest running community traditions, this year marks the club’s the 69th annual fish fry, bringing with it live music, corn dogs, bratwurst, Cajun sausages and prizes.

The free event is open to all members of the public and seeks to raise money for charity through the sale of tickets for food, drinks and prize drawings. It is produced entirely by volunteers ― about 250 this year. The money raised each year goes to the Lions Sight and Hearing Preservation and Community Projects program.

“Every year, we try to make it even better,” said Lion’s Club President Scott Newton. “For 69 years, it has been a gathering of the community where they can come together and see friends, family and acquaintances. It’s a great place to hang out.”

This year, attendees have the chance to win a variety of prizes in the opportunity drawing, which is sponsored by the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce. Prizes this year include a Ford Escape truck, electric bicycle, an iPad, and more.

Seth Eaker, the event’s spokesman, said the fish fry is the club’s biggest fundraiser.

“We operate it as our primary event for the year besides the Christmas parade,” said Eaker. “I would be comfortable saying that last year we raised over $60,000 dollars.”

The event is for everyone, and walking or biking to the event is encouraged, said Eaker.

Other than that, guests don’t need to bring much.

“The less they bring the better,” said Eaker. “They should bring their appetite, friends and family and be ready to have a sense of fun.”

Seating is provided for the event along with the sale of non-alcoholic beverages plus beer and wine.

The Fish Fry goes all weekend, running this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Seal Beach Pier.