Blawnox volunteers prepare for Good Friday fish fry

Blawnox fish fry fans have a few new menu items to get excited about.

The volunteer fire company recently acquired a new fryer that will be dedicated to cooking jumbo shrimp. It will also introduce applesauce as a new side for dinners and a la carte selections.

Rick Lee, fire captain and event chairman, said it will be all hands on deck at 376 Freeport Road on April 18.

About 25 people are expected to help prepare meals on Good Friday, including relatives of company members assisting so the active firefighters will also be ready for calls.

“It’s a good mix of people,” Lee said. “We have a couple of junior members that are off school (helping out). … It’s kind of a community event since it’s been going on so long.”

Blawnox VFC has hosted a Good Friday fish fry for about 25 years.

Scheduling volunteers usually starts about two months out from the event. Menu preparation starts about a month out.

“We don’t have a full-time kitchen like some places, so it’s a project for us,” Lee said. “As other (fish fries) start going off, we check and see what their menus have. We try to stay competitive with everybody else as far as prices and portions and everything.

“We’ve been talking about (adding shrimp) for the past couple years. It’s something other departments around us have.”

Applesauce was added for children and others who may not want coleslaw with their dinners.

A shrimp dinner comes with eight pieces, while a side of shrimp has four pieces. Breaded pollock is also available.

The company hopes to sell around 300 shrimp pieces and at least 600 fish. It usually sells around 800 fish dinners and raises a couple thousand dollars.

Last year’s proceeds went toward purchasing the new fryer.

Lee said a lot of increased food costs were absorbed. Nevertheless, fish dinners and sandwich prices went up about $1 compared to last year. The menu also includes 9-inch personal cheese or pepperoni pizza, mac’n cheese, haluski, fries and pierogies.

The station layout will be the same, with a seating area inside one of the fire truck bays. The quickest times for service may be in the opening hours.

Lee said there has been a lull the past few years around lunchtime because of a reduction in workers at RIDC Park.

People can start placing orders via phone, fax or online starting at 9 a.m. April 18.