Lions members Cabot Harvey, left, and Shayne Smith, both of Costa Mesa, volunteer in the kitchen during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club spent the weekend cooking for its annual fish fry at Fairview Park for the last time.
This year’s event is the club’s 72nd annual family fun and fundraising extravaganza, which typically serves up about 3,500 pounds of battered cod as well as funnel cakes and other snacks to visitors when they’re not checking out the car show or live entertainment, enjoying carnival rides or chilling out in the beer garden. Proceeds benefit Lions Club charities such as local Boys & Girls Clubs.
The I Heart Costa Mesa booth at the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A fair-goer snaps a photo while riding the Century Wheel during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lions members Cabot Harvey, left, and Shayne Smith, both of Costa Mesa, volunteer in the kitchen during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Raven and Mark Fernandez dance as Lou LaRocca performs with his students during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Naomi French, 5, center, and her sister Lillian, 3, get pulled in a wagon by their father Eric French, of Huntington Beach during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Century Wheel spins behind the La Habra Host Lions Club tent during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Judith Gielow, of Costa Mesa, brought her own shade as she walks past the Cost Mesa Historical Society booth, of which she’s a member, during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Arlene Schafer, past-president and charter member of the Harbor-Mesa Lions Club, serves fish during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lou LaRocca, left, performs with Ben Olmos and Ann McCarthy during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman records as Lou LaRocca performs with his daughter and students during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Two girls brave the afternoon heat as they enjoy a ride during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lou LaRocca, right, performs with his daughter Bella, center, and Owen Hamontree, at left, during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People wait to buy meals during the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Young residents head into the Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thousands of guests were expected during the three-day event.
The fish fry was traditionally held at its sponsor’s namesake spot, Lions Park, on the city’s west side, but it moved to Fairview Park in 2012 because the city wanted to protect the recently renovated Davis Field from heavy carnival rides. Now that a new library at Lions Park has opened and a community center renovation project is slated to be done in 2020, the City Council agreed in August to let the fish fry return to its original stomping grounds.
