Editorial

The Lions Club Fish Fry just doesn’t get much respect these days.

Nevermind that this annual community shindig has been a tradition in

this community for half a century. Lately, it seems someone, somewhere is

going to find a way to put the whole thing in jeopardy.

That latest someone comes from Orange Coast College, where somewhere

an official has put a halt to the 58th annual event because of a concern

over a lawsuit that had nothing to do with the Fish Fry in the first

place.

For those at OCC who made this decision without paying any heed to

wiping out an entire piece of the town’s tradition, we offer this piece

of history.

The Fish Fry is more than just a place to gobble down Icelandic cod

and French fried potatoes.

It’s the place where old friends gather to catch up with each other’s

lives, year after year. Where neighbors and community members gather to

discuss old times and new ideas. Where longtime residents pop by to see

their children’s children enjoy the same things they did many years ago.

It’s the place where at least a semblance of small-town America is

preserved within a town that has now grown past the 100,000 mark in

population.

But even more, it’s a fund-raising venture that brings in thousands

of dollars a year; money that goes to local charities and organizations

like Girls Inc., the Boys and Girls Club and others.

“Our club has donated, through the Fish Fry, over $2 million

back to the community in the last seven years,” said Lions Club spokesman

Mike Scheafer. “Unless we get some help from the city, we’re not going to

have an event and there are a lot of charities that count on getting

donations from us that are not going to get any money.”

The Fish Fry troubles started a couple years back. The event, which

kicks off the first weekend in June, was a fixture at Lions Park for

years and came complete with a parade and beauty contest to decide Miss

Costa Mesa.

The first casualty was the parade. Then the Fish Fry, itself, found

itself searching for a new home after renovations to Lions Park forced

organizers to look for a new venue at the close of the 1998 event.

And so began the latest tradition of holding the event at OCC.

According to Lions Club officials, the marriage has been a good one with

the college campus providing all the room and parking needed.

Until now. This recent twist has put the Fish Fry in jeopardy once

again.

We urge Orange Coast College officials to change course. Don’t let

this fund-raising and community tradition fade away into obscurity. The

Lions Club Fish Fry deserves a permanent home in Costa Mesa.

Let’s make OCC that place for now.