“Most years in the past, it’s involved primarily a supper and there’s usually a speaker,” Erickson said. “We’re actually incorporating a fundraiser in advance into the fold, and that’s probably the first time that the fish fry has ever gone with that concept.”
People will be able to buy their tickets as they normally would, though the federation sent out a notice to its members this year stating that they had first crack.
“We did take the initiative to mail out a newsletter to all 357 members, advising them that they had first crack at the tickets,” Erickson said. “We’ve never done that before.”
Tickets for the general public will be made available starting March 26. Erickson expects more than 200 people to attend the event.
“At this point, I think our sold ticket count is sitting at around 140,” Erickson said. “There will likely be less than 80 tickets available come Tuesday.”
As well, instead of bringing in a guest speaker, the federation will host a dance with a live band following a serving of northern pike.
“We’re trying to raise money to buy a dishwasher,” Erickson said. “When people have weddings or functions out at the wildlife federation, we use glass plates and glass cups and real silverware. For over 40 years, volunteers have had to wash and dry dishes by hand after a function.”
Buying a commercial dishwasher and placing it in the kitchen of the building is part of a business plan to limit the number of volunteers the federation needs, according to Erickson.
The federation has discussed selling the building in the past due to a lack of volunteers, which has also brought about the change in approach.
“The general direction that the club is taking is we’re taking a more business-like approach to the day-to-day operations of this facility,” Erickson said. “Fewer and fewer people in today’s society are willing to actually volunteer to do things.”
Proceeds from silent auction items, bucket raffles and special draws -- an unprecedented list of activities at the fish fry -- will also go toward the purchase of a dishwasher.
“We’ve kind of targeted a figure of $3,000 from this event,” Erickson said. “If we can raise $3,000, we’d be very happy.”
Regular price of admission for the general public is $25 per person, with children aged five to 12 able to get in for $15 and admission for children younger than five being free.
Tickets will be available through TK Outdoors Ltd., Rally Mazda and by contacting Erickson at 306-961-2499. Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m., the supper at 7 p.m. and the dance will be held at 9 p.m.
alex.dipietro@paherald.sk.ca
