Dishing up fun at Fish Fry

Gloomy May weather couldn’t keep the crowds away from the deep-fried goodness at the Fish Fry in Lions Park on Saturday.

“The secret is using fresh fish and fresh oil, and you can taste it,” said Raul Jara, secretary and incoming president of the Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club, which puts on the Fish Fry each year.

The Lions club has raised about $2.5 million from the event over its 62-year history to benefit local charities and Lions Club causes, like preventing blindness, Jara said.

A plate of battered and deep-fried Alaskan cod with coleslaw and French fries costs $10 at the event, which continues at 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today. The deep fryers are open 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. A plate of fish also comes with the chance to win one of four opportunity drawings at the Fish Fry this weekend.

The annual Fish Fry baby contest, where judges will give awards for cuteness, personality and overall appearance, will begin 1 p.m. today at the Downtown Recreation Center at the park.

Lions Park is at 507 W. 18th Street in Costa Mesa.

— Brianna Bailey