Catch of the day

Sue Doyle

COSTA MESA -- Families poured into the carnival grounds Sunday to soak up

the end of the 55th annual Lions Club Fish Fry.

The three-day fund-raiser transformed OCC’s campus into a children’s

wonderland packed with carnival rides, games, booths, contests and food.

Coordinators had not counted the money raised but said the turnout

exceeded last year’s, also held at OCC.

Proceeds go toward youth groups, such as the Boys & Girls Club, said

Brett Smith, Lions Club vice president.

“Overall we’ve raised millions of dollars for youth groups in Orange

County for 55 years,” Smith said.

Admission to the carnival and fish fry was free, but naturally there was

a charge for food, rides and games.

Carnival rides loaded with people whizzed through the air high above the

crowds.

Many children tugged on their parents’ arms to beg for just one more

ride.

Costa Mesa residents Andrea Tweedie and her 5-year-old son, Matthew,

stopped at a “speed pitch” baseball game.

The youngster, who plays T-ball, couldn’t wait to test his natural

velocity on the game.

Whether it was Matthew’s winning arm or just his sweet smile, he won over

the game attendant and walked away with a blue plastic bat nearly the

size of him.

“This has been fun so far. It’s an old-fashioned good time,” Tweedie

said.

Anaheim residents Anthony Garcia, 32, and Renee Salas, 30, came to the

event to enjoy the outdoors and have some fun.

“I’m here to get out of the house and spend some of my hard-earned

money,” Garcia said.

Lions Club members, such as Larry Kerzman, volunteered to work booths.

Dozens of fishbowls sat on one table. Residents could throw a ball in a

bowl and win the fish.

“People can catch their own fish dinner here,” Kerzman said with a hearty

laugh.