Port Washington's 49th annual Port Fish Day draws thousands

PORT WASHINGTON (WITI) -- Thousands took part in Port Washington's 49th annual Fish Day on Saturday, July 20th. It's the community's biggest and best known event.

"Everybody needs to come out and just experience it, and see it, and feel it, and smell it," says Mary Monday, President of Port Fish Day, Inc.

The event is billed as the world's largest outdoor, one-day fish fry. There are almost 25 stages touting music, magicians and a whole lot of fun. The celebration kicks off with an 8K run/walk and ever-popular parade.

"We love the parade," says Dave Tisai. "We love the fish and we just love the atmosphere out here in Port Washington."

Admission to Fish Day is free, however nine area service organizations use the event as a fundraiser.

Monday explains, "everybody you see whose organized this -- our board of directors, our committee, the people in the stands cooking those fish and chips -- nobody's collecting a paycheck. This money's all going toward the service clubs, their missions, their purposes and how they turn money back into the community to make this an outstanding community here in Port Washington."

Fish Day organizers estimate around 10,000 pounds of fish are fried during the annual celebration.