The 70th annual Lions Fish Fry on July 19 and 20 is the single longest continuously running event that happens in Seal Beach. This year one of Seal Beach’s leading local business, Original Parts Group, generously sponsors the event. As we move to the centennial year in 2015, and the current 75th year for the Lions, it is worth noting why do the Lions produce this event? Even more importantly, why should you attend?
In 1917, Melvin Jones, a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, asked a simple and world-changing question – what if people put their talents to work improving their communities? With this question and some vibrant leadership, almost 100 years later, Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization, with 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs and countless stories of Lions acting on the same simple idea: let’s improve our communities.
In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions Clubs International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA, and challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” With that challenge, Lions all over the world have become the most tireless advocacy and aid agency for the blind and visually impaired. The Seal Beach Lions have become particularly active in this area led by Lion Cathy Newton.
Fish Fry events have been a staple of many community organizations, and particularly the Lions from coast to coast. For Seal Beach, the Lions produce many events, but it is the Fish Fry that the Lions ask of our community to give and attend. This year’s co-chairs Mike Haley and Scott Newton have produced great improvement in flow for the food and beverage lines. This year, a 2014 black Ford Escape is the lead prize, with an iPad and other key gifts for the opportunity drawing.
In 1951 Lions club secretary Buell Brown wrote the club minutes, “The fish fry was originated as a social event… It is the only event of the year that brings the people of the town together for a good old fashion visit, and that one item make our Fish Fry a truly worthwhile Lions activity. The Fish Fry has never been operated with the idea of making any money, just friends, yet it has never failed to pay us for our effort, with a nice sum for the treasury.”
Attendance as always is free, and there is band entertainment, a continuous merchant opportunity drawing, sponsored by the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce. We hope you will buy some food and drink (please don’t bring your own) and enjoy the event. This year has a great line up of bands.
Starting on Saturday at 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., enjoy the Losers, a local Huntington Beach band with flavors from the classic rock bands you know and love. Then, at 12:45 to 2:15 pm, the Grillo Band will glide in to give you even more to dance to. Original artist and local celebrity, Robby Armstrong will play from the key hours of 2:30 to 5 p.m., and Persons of Interest will be there to close out from 5:15 to 7 pm.
Kicking off Sunday with a strong salsa rock feel is Gringos Playeros from 11 a.m. to noon. As we move into the heart of lunch from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m., Sugarlips with their signature style will fill us all up with some Seal Beach love.
From the exciting hours before the opportunity drawing for the car, Joe Schmoe from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. will play, as they have for over the last decade. According to band organizer, Lion Dino Syrengelas, “Joe Schmoe has the distinction of being the band which has played since we started having music at the fish fry. It must have been at least 15 years by now.” Finally, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Flying Squad will be on the band stage helping bring everything to a close.
So be sure to come down on to the Fish Fry and enjoy music, some beverages, fish or brauts and the best of Seal Beach’s laid back community feel. See you there!
