The Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company is gearing up for its major food fundraiser of the year.
Firefighters and members of the station will host their annual fish fry at 376 Freeport Road from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Good Friday.
Capt. Rick Lee is in his seventh year as fish fry coordinator.
He said the layout will be the same as previous years with orders taken at the main doors. Fire trucks will be moved out to make room for serving operations and seating.
The company only hosts a fish fry on Good Friday largely due to logistics.
“We don’t have a full-service kitchen like a lot of places,” Lee said.
“We basically move our trucks out, set up fryers. It changes our whole operation for the day.
“It’s not terrible because I’ve been doing it for a few years now. It pretty much runs itself.
“The hardest part is when emergency calls come in. We have to staff them and get an apparatus on the road and still be able to serve the public. The fire service is what we are here for, and that (comes) first.”
About 25 people are expected to help throughout the day, including six or seven new recruits.
“They are in for an awakening,” Lee said of the rookies.
Many of the members mark their calendars to make sure they are available for the fish fry.
“It’s a big community event for us,” Lee said. “We look forward to seeing the customers return year after year.”
Food supply comes from Restaurant Depot in the Strip District. Lee said they have used that vendor for years because of its high-quality goods and affordable prices.
Deep-fried hush puppies are new on the menu this year.
Lee said jumbo shrimp was very popular last year and also will be served.
Fish sandwiches are fried pollock served with or without cheese.
Dinners include a drink, coleslaw or applesauce and one side.
Other sides include fries, pierogies, homemade mac and cheese and haluski.
Other entrees include a 9-inch personal pan plain or pepperoni pizza.
Volunteers served about 700 fish sandwiches and 300 shrimp dinners last year.
The event raised about $4,500 for the company, one of its most successful events.
“I think the weather helped out a lot,” Lee said. “It was warm out. I think we did a little better advertising, and the shrimp helped out. New menu items always help.
“It’s always a goal to do better than the year before. We are in early April. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate.”
Folks can email orders to fishfry@blawnoxvfc.com or call 412-828-6380.
Phone orders can be placed starting at 9 a.m. April 3.
Email orders will first be checked the night before. To order online, visit blawnoxvfc.com/events/2026-fish-fry. The deadline for phone and email orders is 6 p.m. April 3.