Costa Mesa preps for sizzling good time as 75th Fish Fry returns Friday to Lions Park
You can almost hear the bubble of tender fish planks dropped into sizzling hot oil, as Costa Mesa’s annual Fish Fry, postponed throughout the pandemic, returns to its historic home at the city’s Lions Park Friday through Sunday.
Hosted by the Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club, the hometown event celebrates its 75th year with carnival rides, a beer and wine garden, live entertainment and, of course, the main attraction.
“We have over 1,000 pounds of fish,” said club Vice President Joan Parks, clarifying $15 gets attendees two sizable pieces, fries and Newport Rib Co. coleslaw. “Please let it defrost in time.”
Wednesday found Parks and fellow organizers, who’ve been in the planning stages for the past six months, feverishly tackling to-do lists and tying up loose ends before the big day.
The event was held at Costa Mesa’s more expansive Fairview Park, from 2012 to 2019, before wildlife officials advised a relocation due to sensitive species in the area. City officials have since completed a slate of renovations at Lions Park, named for Lions Club International and the fish fries of yore, and worked with club members to return the event to its original digs.
City spokesman Tony Dodero confirmed the club has a licensing agreement with the city to host the event that was approved in September 2019, before the pandemic forced a two-year closure.
“The Fish Fry has been a large community event that helps fund the Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club and their scholarship and grant programs,” Dodero wrote in an email. “Generations of Costa Mesa residents have enjoyed this event since 1946, and we are glad to see that continue.”
Parks, now 77, recalled attending when she was just a toddler. A Lions Club member for the past 40 years, she says everyone in her family has worked the fry.
“We’ve all been pulled into it — me, my kids — it’s just been in our family forever,” she said. “It’s really a wonderful event. I think there’s a lot of nostalgia around it.”
Lions Club members Cabot and Gretchen Harvey both grew up in Newport Beach and have fond memories of everyone converging at Lions Park for the days-long event, which used to include a parade, loads of carnival games and a beautiful baby contest.
“It was the iconic kickoff to summer,” recalled Gretchen Harvey, who’s been spreading word about the event on social media. “Other than the Orange County Fair, this was the biggest event — everybody went.”
Organizers admit while this year’s footprint, given the relocation and a recent shifting of membership, may be a little smaller than the glory days, the hometown spirit will be on full display.
“The city, the mayor and the council, everybody has been very supportive along the way,” Cabot Harvey said.
Costa Mesa officials will be providing staffing, coordination services and a police presence throughout the three-day event.
“The city made all kinds of generous concessions to us to make this a success, so we’re all in this together and we’re very hopeful,” Gretchen Harvey agreed. “I think next year it’s going to be even bigger.”
The 75th Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club Fish Fry runs Friday, from 5 to 10 p.m., from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Lions Park, 570 18th St., in Costa Mesa. Admission is free, and food, beverages and ride tickets are available for purchase. For more, visit cmnh-lions.com.
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