Lions Club has lots of fish to fry this weekend

The Costa Mesa/Newport Harbor Lions Club held its 60th annual Fish Fry Saturday in Lions Park where they cooked up about 1,000 fish dinners.

Mike Schaefer, Lions Club secretary and past president, said each year, the groups cook up about 15 pounds of fish throughout the day.

The fry included several food booths, and a band that stepped in to bring the entertainment to those in attendance.

The highlight of Sunday’s fry will be a baby contest that will feature two categories: ages six to 12 months and ages 12 months to two years.

Parents are asked to show up by 2 p.m. to register their infants and toddlers and should expect to pay a $5 entry fee and show a copy of their baby’s birth certificate.

This year’s event was different from previous years, Schaefer said, in that the weather really cooled down. Last year was “horribly hot,” he said.

The annual fundraiser gave back to the community about $35,000 last year through local charities, Schaefer said. Overall, the Lions Club has given about $2 million. The club donates to groups in Costa Mesa such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Little Leagues, TACA (Taking Action against Autism) and various other Lions Club charities such as the “Sight First” program. There are about 20 groups all total.

Asked if the Lions expect to continue hosting the fish fry, Schaefer said, “We don’t know.” He is repeatedly asked about continuing the festival, but he’s not sure about its longevity at the park, he said.

Schaefer said at a recent City Council meeting, the park’s hosting of the carnival was an issue, but it’s not the only concern the club has to consider.

Lions Club membership is dwindling, Schaefer said, and the “90-year-old services organization is organized with 70-year old men.”

Schaefer considered the Lions Club and its organization of the annual fry.

“I think the one sentiment that we all have is that we’re all proud of the fact that we make a difference in the community,” Schaefer said.

The event also runs Sunday at Lions Park.