Fish fry makes changes, may face more

As carnival rides and games take over the ball field at Lions Park this weekend, local Lions Club members will batter up the fish for the 60th annual fish fry.

They’ve changed a few things this year — no more Miss Costa Mesa pageant, and musicians from local high schools will play instead of adult bands.

And for the first time ever, the Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions have some help from another service group, the Costa Mesa Kiwanis.

“It’s the 60th annual, so this year is really kind of special,” said Lions treasurer Raul Jara. “We’re trying to create more of a family atmosphere.”

That’s why they’re urging more participation from local schools. Cheerleaders, dancers and student bands will perform. It’s an alternative to bringing in older bands, who come with their own groupies that leave once the music is over, Jara said.

The beauty pageant was nixed because it became too hard to drum up contestants.

“We looked like male chauvinists,” Jara joked. “Times change.”

Other parts of the fish fry remain the same. They’ll still hold the baby contest, the fish will be Alaskan cod as it has for about four years, and they’ll still hold the carnival with rides and games.

But the Lions will have new help running the Saturday and Sunday event. The cooperation is needed because membership in many service groups is falling, and members are getting older and can’t do as much as they once could, Jara said.

“Service clubs should stick together for the common good of the community, and it’s getting harder and harder to get guys out for stuff,” said Fran Ursini of the Costa Mesa Kiwanis. “The only thing we ask is that we can wear our Kiwanis shirts.”

Lions have been working to bring back the parade that accompanied the Fish Fry until 1998, but they’re not quite ready this year.

Jara said the club is working to raise money to pay for barricades and police assistance for street closures, and they need someone to organize it all.

The fish fry’s days at Lions Park may be numbered. The Costa Mesa City Council in early May talked about whether to allow carnivals on the park’s ball field because the field is taken out of use and has to be repaired afterward, but no decision was made to ban carnivals.

However, the southeast corner of the park is considered the most likely spot for the city’s second skate park, which would force the Lions to find another venue.

Jara said the club already is considering other locations for future years.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club 60th annual fish fry

WHEN: noon to about 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

WHERE: Lions Park, West 18th and Park streets, Costa Mesa

INFO: www.cmnhlions.com/fishfry