Good Friday fish fry tradition continues at Blawnox, Sharpsburg volunteer fire stations

Blawnox and Sharpsburg volunteer fire departments had their annual Good Friday fish fry fundraisers at their respective departments.

Both served up hundreds of meals and ala carte goods including fried cod, French fries, coleslaw, pierogies and mac and cheese. Sharpsburg also had shrimp while Blawnox had pizza and haluski.

Both companies pulled trucks out of their bays to make room for volunteers and customers. Neither department has a kitchen, which is among the reasons why they only have a fish fry on Good Friday.

“It’s a huge manpower thing,” said Dennis Lane, Sharpsburg VFD president. “Most of the volunteers take a day off (to put this together).”

About 25 volunteers participated in Sharpsburg’s fish fry, including several Aspinwall firefighters. Departments from both boroughs are in the process of merging into SAVES — Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services.

Blawnox Fire Chief Jeff Stephens said his department also has limited volunteer availability, and can’t have a fish fry every Friday during Lent. About 30 volunteers, including nonmembers, helped out in Blawnox.

Lane estimated about 740 fish sandwiches were served in Sharpsburg. Stephens estimated about 800 pounds of fish including sandwiches and dinners were served in Blawnox.

Good Friday fish fry is a long-standing tradition at both stations. Each has done it for more than 20 years and with generations of firefighters manning the food stations.

Both said Lane and Stephens said they are thankful for their borough and surrounding communities’ support, and plan on doing it again next year.