Fredonia community fish fry celebrates its 25th year

Family, friends and community members gathered together Fri­day night, June 13, for a fun-filled summer evening. Over 300 people lined up for a free meal provided by community mem­bers and organized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Alvie and Ra­Chel Johnson spent many fishing trips over the last months stocking up to share and spent the evening frying up the delicious main dish. Hot dogs, burgers, dutch oven potatoes and many homemade sides were served in addition to the fish.

Photos courtesy of the Fredonia Public Library.

There were plenty of fun activities to keep folks busy like corn hole, four square and throwing around a football and frisbee. The Fredonia Public Library contributed free snow cones. It was a perfect treat for the warm evening! They also set up an art station with scratch art for the kiddos and a book walk around the grass to enjoy while sipping your snow cone. This annual event has grown bigger over the years and has been a great opportu­nity to get community members together to strengthen relation­ships and get to know new neighbors.

The fish fry started out in 2000 with just a small group of men in the church and by 2016 it had grown to a full-blown community event. They were even able to keep it going through the pandemic years. This year they had five fryers going and two variations of the recipe for the batter.

The Fredonia Library will continue to host a weekly event through­out the summer as part of their Summer Read­ing program, “Color Our World.” On June 19, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. will be an Art in the Park activity with chalk and paint at the Fredonia Town Park. On June 26, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. a pair of huge inflatable obstacle courses and lunch at the park as well. They’ll also host a free pool party at the Fredonia pool on July 3, from 6 - 8 p.m. Watch for more to come about July events. (All times are Arizona time.)