History of the Seal Beach Community Fish Fry
Officially, it’s called the Seal Beach Lions Club Community Fish Fry but it is now better known to Seal Beach locals simply as “Fish Fry”. And Fish Fry is the longest running event in the community of Seal Beach.
What started originally as a replication of a Midwest tradition has grown into one of the area’s most popular summer events. Always on the third weekend in July, for two full days, Lions cook and serve fish and other foods in the park overlooking the Seal Beach pier (same location for all 70 years). Besides food and spirits, local bands play continuously at the event from 11 in the morning until the sun goes down. The bands all play for free as their way of ‘giving back’ to the community.
In 1951, Lions club secretary Buell Brown wrote in 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."
The tradition lives on with the Seal Beach Lions Club’s annual Community Fish Fry.
What started originally as a replication of a Midwest tradition has grown into one of the area’s most popular summer events. Always on the third weekend in July, for two full days, Lions cook and serve fish and other foods in the park overlooking the Seal Beach pier (same location for all 70 years). Besides food and spirits, local bands play continuously at the event from 11 in the morning until the sun goes down. The bands all play for free as their way of ‘giving back’ to the community.
In 1951, Lions club secretary Buell Brown wrote in 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."
The tradition lives on with the Seal Beach Lions Club’s annual Community Fish Fry.
