GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — With the fryers on and 70 volunteers at the ready, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church has kicked off its first Fish Fry of the year.
The first of the year brought long lines, and 30-minute waits for the church's famous fish, but it's well worth it to people like Laura Carson.
"I love the walleye, I love everything that goes with it, it's just really yummy," said Carson.
St. Alphonsus is one of the only churches in West Michigan that serves walleye for their fish fry, which adds to the appeal for those wanting a less fishy-tasting fish.
And before you pay the $15 per plate, you may run into resident joke teller Maggie Vugteveen.
"Did you hear about the sad wedding cake? It was in 'tiers'," said Vugteveen to the line of people waiting for fish.
All jokes aside, St. Alphonsus and other parishes across West Michigan use fish fry Fridays as one of their main fundraisers of the year.
This was Father Christopher Epplett's first year with the church.
"It helps fund all of our parish programming including our social concerns which includes our pantry, our food and clothing pantry, also our general operations so we can better preach the gospel to those around us," said Father Epplett.
But some hurdles come with having big events like these. John Frey and Jennifer Leonard help keep the show running every year. They say that they've had to find ways to keep their ministries funded with costs continuing to rise every year.
"Last year we raised adult prices, but we kept seniors the same," said Leonard. "This year I kept the adults the same but I did raise the seniors a little bit to bring it closer into the gap of what the adults are paying."
"Like anywhere you're towing the fine line between making a little and not being too expensive to turn people off," said Frey.
About 700 to 1,000 people come every week, and those who run the fry are happy to see their community members and customers once again.
"It's invaluable the amount of service that these people are willing to do for St. Alphonsus, and their community," said Frey.
2024 FISH FRYS IN WEST MICHIGAN:
Kent County
- St. Patrick Parish - Parnell
- Soup supper
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. in the Parish Center
- St. Robert of Newminster Parish - Ada
- Meatless meal
- Feb. 23 and March 22 at 5 p.m. in Newminster Hall (enter through Door E and take the elevator or stairs to second floor).
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish - Belmont
- Fish fry
- February 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. in the Family Life Center Gym
- St. Sebastian Parish - Byron Center
- Soup supper
- Feb. 16, 23; Mar 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall
- Holy Family Parish - Caledonia
- Soup Supper
- Feb. 16, 23; Mar 1, 8, 15, and 22 at 6 p.m. in the Holy Family Center
- Holy Trinity Parish - Comstock Park
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 5 – 7 p.m. in the Parish Family Center
- St. Alphonsus Parish - Grand Rapids
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. in the Family Parish Center
- St. Isidore Parish - Grand Rapids
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. in the Parish Gym
- St. Jude Parish - Grand Rapids
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in the Brophy Center
- St. Paul the Apostle Parish - Grand Rapids
- Fish & shrimp tacos
- March 1 and 22 in the gym
- Casino Club - Grand Rapids
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Drive thru or dine-in
- Knights of Columbus Council 3104 - Grand Rapids
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 — 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the West Leonard Banquet Facility
- Our Lady of Consolation Parish - Rockford
- Fish fry
- Feb. 23, March 8 and 22 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in the Holy Family Center
- Knights of Columbus Council #4362 - Wyoming
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the K of C Banquet Center, 5830 Clyde Park Avenue SW
- St. John Vianney Parish - Wyoming
- Fish fry
- Feb. 9, 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. in the Village Hall
Ottawa County
- Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Knights of Columbus #7115 - Holland
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, and 22 at 4:30 p.m. in the church
Muskegon County
- St. James Parish - Montague
- Fish fry
- Feb. 9, 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. in St. James Hall
- St. Thomas the Apostle Parish - Muskegon Township
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 5 – 7 p.m. in St. Thomas Hall
- Knights of Columbus #706 - Norton Shores
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at 2915 Fairfield St.
- Knights of Columbus Council #12985 - Whitehall
- Fish fry
- Feb. 9, 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. at St. James Church
Ionia County
- St. Joseph Church - Belding
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23 and March 1 from 5 – 7 p.m.
- Saints Peter and Paul Parish - Ionia
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, and 15 from 5 – 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria
- St. Joseph Parish - Pewamo
- Supper
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Parish Center
- St. Patrick Parish - Portland
- Soup supper
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, and 22 at 6:45 p.m. in the Parish Hall
- St. Anthony Parish - Saranac
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 5 – 7 p.m.
Mecosta County
- St. Mary-St. Paul Parish - Big Rapids
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center
- St. Michael Parish - Remus
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall
Newaygo County
- All Saints Parish - Fremont
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 5 – 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall
Oceana County
- St. Vincent Parish - Pentwater
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 5 – 7 p.m. in the St. Joseph Parish Hall
- St. Joseph Parish - Weare
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 5 – 7 p.m. in the St. Joseph Parish Hall
Montcalm County
- St. Charles Borromeo Parish - Greenville
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 5 – 7 p.m. in the Activities Building
- Christ the King-St. Francis de Sales Parish - Howard City
- Fish fry
- Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Mason County
- St. Simon - Ludington
- Fish fry
- February 23; March 1, 8, 15 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the church
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