Sparky_Bill
04-23-2008, 06:13 PM
Anyone else interested in meeting out in Brooklyn Park for their smelt fry Thursday night???
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More than 2,000 pounds of smelt has been ordered in anticipation of the Brooklyn Park Lions Club's annual smelt fry.
This year marks the 46th year for the Lions smelt fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, through Friday, April 25, at the National Guard Armory, 5600 85th Ave. N.
Club member Art Kvamme helped start the smelt fry years ago.
"I've fried over three-quarters of a million smelt in my day," he said. "We do a bang-up job. The secret is how you fry 'em. There's nothing worse than half-raw smelt."
Once common throughout the state, smelt frys have become increasingly rare, and people from around the state come to Brooklyn Park for the event, Lions Secretary Andrew Reinhardt said.
The average person consumes one pound of the six-inch long fish at the event, he said.
Last year, the Lions served 1,888 people. This year, the group has ordered 2,182 pounds of smelt - expecting to serve 2,000 people, Reinhardt said.
Although the Lions also sell pulltabs, the smelt fry is the club's biggest fundraiser.
Eyeglasses are probably what most people know the Lions for nationally and internationally, Kvamme said.
But the group also provides money to local Boy and Girl Scout troops, the Eye Bank, the Diabetes Association, the Hearing Foundation and more.
"We get a lot more requests than we can ever honor," Kvamme said.
Cost for admission to the smelt fry is $9 in advance or $9.50 at the door. Tickets are $5 for children 12 and under. Contact any Lions member for advance sales.
The price includes all-you-can-eat smelt, coleslaw, pork and beans, chips, coffee and milk or pop. Beer is available for an additional charge.
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More than 2,000 pounds of smelt has been ordered in anticipation of the Brooklyn Park Lions Club's annual smelt fry.
This year marks the 46th year for the Lions smelt fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, through Friday, April 25, at the National Guard Armory, 5600 85th Ave. N.
Club member Art Kvamme helped start the smelt fry years ago.
"I've fried over three-quarters of a million smelt in my day," he said. "We do a bang-up job. The secret is how you fry 'em. There's nothing worse than half-raw smelt."
Once common throughout the state, smelt frys have become increasingly rare, and people from around the state come to Brooklyn Park for the event, Lions Secretary Andrew Reinhardt said.
The average person consumes one pound of the six-inch long fish at the event, he said.
Last year, the Lions served 1,888 people. This year, the group has ordered 2,182 pounds of smelt - expecting to serve 2,000 people, Reinhardt said.
Although the Lions also sell pulltabs, the smelt fry is the club's biggest fundraiser.
Eyeglasses are probably what most people know the Lions for nationally and internationally, Kvamme said.
But the group also provides money to local Boy and Girl Scout troops, the Eye Bank, the Diabetes Association, the Hearing Foundation and more.
"We get a lot more requests than we can ever honor," Kvamme said.
Cost for admission to the smelt fry is $9 in advance or $9.50 at the door. Tickets are $5 for children 12 and under. Contact any Lions member for advance sales.
The price includes all-you-can-eat smelt, coleslaw, pork and beans, chips, coffee and milk or pop. Beer is available for an additional charge.