The Lenten Fish Fry has become a well-known event for St. Peter Catholic Church, and the tradition will continue this year beginning on Friday, Feb. 24. It will continue on Fridays through March 31 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Center, Second and Union streets, Columbia.

"Forty-four years ago, three women started selling fish sandwiches and french fries," said Claire Storm, publicity chair of the event. "It grew to be very popular since (the parishioners of St. Peter Church) abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent. Today, we have a wide variety of fish platters and other selections on our menu."

Dine-in or takeout options will be available, and the menu will include platters of one or two crab cakes, baked cod, fried fillet of fish, fried shrimp, fish sticks, fried scallops, fried oysters and breaded fried clam strips. Macaroni and cheese, french fries, stewed tomatoes, a vegetable, coleslaw and a dinner roll are included in the price of the platter. A la carte items include a crab cake sandwich, a fried fish fillet sandwich, an oyster sandwich, french fries, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, coleslaw and cheesy bread sticks with marinara sauce. Quarts, pints and bowls of homemade soups will be available each week as well. On Feb. 24 and March 17, potato soup will be served. On March 3, Manhattan clam chowder will be offered. On March 10 and 31, cream of crab will be on the menu, and on March 24, minestrone will be featured. A variety of individually wrapped baked goods made by the women of the parish will also be available for purchase as well as a variety of drinks each Friday.

The fish fry is a fundraiser for the Parish Council of Catholic Women, Storm said, noting that proceeds will benefit various activities in the parish, Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School, Water for Life and other nonprofits. Congregation members begin prepping each meal the day before, making crab cakes and setting up, Storm remarked. The men of the parish assist with the setup, cleanup, heavy lifting, washing dishes and working in the kitchen.

Storm said her favorite menu item is the crab cake sandwich. "Last year, we did not have crab at all due to the exorbitant price of crab, but it is back this year," she commented. She also noted that she will be making the cream of crab soup offered on some of the Fridays.

Reservations are not required for the fish fry. There are two parking lots at the church as well as parking on the street. "Come and enjoy a delicious meal with your family and friends in a relaxed atmosphere," Storm said. "At the end of the week, it is just a pleasure to sit and enjoy good food that you didn't have to prepare."