The Bladen County Shrine Club isn’t letting itself off the hook, so to speak, with this year’s fall fish fry, but is gearing up for its second attempt at it.
Originally scheduled for Oct. 12, the event was pre-empted by Hurricane Matthew. Organizers are hoping for better luck this time around.
“We usually have it rain or shine,” remarked Shriner Paul Johnson, “but we couldn’t have it after the hurricane, because so much was going on and because there was no power.
“Regardless of the weather, we’re going to have it this time,” he laughed.
The group will be forking over the goods at two locations — the Food Lion parking lot in Elizabethtown and Fresh Foods IGA in Bladenboro.
For $8, diners will receive fried whiting fillet, cole slaw, hush puppies, a drink, and — of course — the Shriners’ famous sweet potato fries.
The organization’s fish fry — also held in the spring, but only at one location — is traditionally so well supported that the sites usually turn into — well, parking lots. With tables and tents set up for eating on the premises, folks parking and walking up for takeout, a drive-thru option, and deliveries of 60 or 80 plates at the time going out to businesses or industries for delivery, the parking lots might very well see as much activity during those eight hours as they usually do in two weeks or more.
“I think one of the reasons people support it is because they know 100 percent of the profit goes to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital,” reasoned Shriner Phillip Little. “We have a lot of folks that will come and buy an $8 ticket and just give us $10 or $20 or just come up and give us a donation. I think that’s the driving factor — it’s going to a good cause.”
With 17 locations in the United States, Shriners Hospitals for Children enrich the lives of children most notably through its specialty programs — orthopaedics, burn care, cleft lip and palate, and spinal cord injuries.
Based on last year’s numbers, the group has ordered 2,300 pounds of whiting, but last year, they did sell out.
“Some folks wait until later to come by, and they’re disappointed because we don’t have any more,” said Little. “My advice is to come early.”
“We have high expectations for a good turnout, and hope everyone can come out for a good meal,” said Johnson.
The Shriner’s fish fry will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.