The Seal Beach Lions and Leos will be presenting the 69th Annual Fish Fry in Eisenhower park on Saturday, July 20 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 21 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. The longest running Lions Fish Fry in the nation, Seal Beach expects over 7,000 meals to be served over the course of the weekend.
Lindsay Safe, Lions president, said, “this event is really the crowning achievement for the Lions club. It is our biggest fundraiser and funds so many of our programs, both locally and internationally.” It is expected that over 16,000 people will attend the event over the two days.
Of special note, this year are two new additions. Co-chair, Mike Haley shared, “we have a VIP area for our title sponsor, Original Parts Group and some of our other key partners. This will give nearby reserved seating and open space near the band area which will allow them to enjoy the event even more.”
Further, the Braille Leos will also be on hand working with the other Leos in food preparation and service to the guests. With a focus on vision and hearing impairment, Lions International does all it can to help with those so challenged. It will be remarkable to see them be part of the event.
The Seal Beach Leo Club has over 100 members ranging in age from 12–18 years old. They provide service to the community and help the less fortunate through projects and fundraisers. What has been remarkable about the growth of the Seal Beach Lions Club is how many of the new Lions are Leos who have grown up in the group and continue to follow the Lion’s motto of “We Serve.”
The Lions Club also is host to dozens of citizen activists who have seen decades of the Fish Fry. Their efforts contribute to a large number of local, regional and national charities and initiatives. Service projects include opening day at Seal Beach Pony Baseball, river and beach clean-ups, Breakfast with Santa, Seal Beach Christmas Parade, Sail for the Blind, Ronald McDonald House, CASA Youth Shelter, Roar for Autism, Beep ball for Braille, LAHS Every-15-Minutes, and many more.
In preparation for the Fish Fry, several improvements were made to ensure an even better event than last year. A new drainage system was developed for the bar. A bucket will now collect all spill-off. A new ticket bin was built for the car drawing that increases ticket capacity to more than 1,000 canisters. This new bin has plenty of room to thoroughly mix the canisters before the drawing. A portable stainless steel shelf unit (wheeled) was built for the food area. Finally, four new ticket dispensers were made to accommodate more tickets as the event moves to a “ticket only” program. Booth walls and table coverings were built and painted with the signature “Lions Goldenrod” paint to increase visibility.
Steadily, the Lions Club volunteers, over 200 of them, will work in every capacity to create a great community experience. Dancing, hanging out, preparing food and simply visiting with neighbors and families, while raising money for good causes is what it is all about.
As Scott Newton, a long time Lion and citizen activist says, “Lionism is about service, and the Fish Fry allows us to serve our community not only literally with fish and brats, but also by raising money which goes back to help our mission. My children and family are Lions, and seeing our club, be the largest and arguably the most successful in California is something the whole community should be proud of. So come down and eat some fish and listen to our bands! Someone is going to win a car, electric bike and an iPad too.”
The band line up is available on line at www.sealbeachlions.com and to review: Saturday at 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., “Dangerous Stranger,” from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. it will be “Soccer Moms,” then followed by our local favorite Robby Armstrong from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wrapping up Saturday night from 5:15 to 7 p.m., it is “Persons of Interest.”
Sunday begins with “Ty G and the Firestorm” from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.. Then a favorite of the Fish Fry for years, “Danny Dean” takes the stage from 12:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.. From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.it is “Joe Schmoe,” and then, wrapping up the Fry from 5 to 6:30 p.m. it will be “The Losers.”
So we better see you this weekend, for this weekend is when our Lions truly roar with success.
Seth Eaker of Black Marble Consulting is a past president of the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce.
