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An old-fashioned island fish fry

In just two weeks, the smells of fish frying will permeate the south end of the island, as the Amory Memorial Chapel 50th Anniversary Fish Fry Festival will take place on the grounds of Gasparilla Island State Park.

On Saturday, Nov. 21 from noon to 5 p.m. the Barrier Island Parks Society will sponsor not just the fish fry, but much more. Sharon McKenzie, BIPS’ executive director, has a full day’s worth of events planned and said the details are now starting to become finalized.

A live auction will be held, with lucky winners heading out with five local captains to enjoy Boca Grande waters. Capt. Mark Becton and Capt. Rob Hayes will be offering half-day back bay, fly and light tackle trips; Capt. Kevin Kelley will sponsor a half-day back bay, light tackle trip; Capt. Waylon Mills will offer a half-tide evening of tarpon fishing; and Capt. Eddie Potter will donate a half-day of back bay, fly and light tackle fishing. The auctioneer will be Larry Hannah.

McKenzie said a silent auction will be held as well, featuring items such as a bouquet of flowers a month for a year from Fabulous Flowers, a two-night stay in a Cayo Costa cabin (including transportation to and from the island), a kayak eco-tour for four at Don Pedro Island State Park and Land Base, a J.A. Lovell color photograph of Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and a Jack Lyons pearl necklace.

Other items in the silent auction include a Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum necklace and earring set, an Amory gift basket, a “village gifts” basket of goodies, pottery by Deb Cooper and other prizes from the Bag Lady and Newlin’s Mainely Gourmet.

Tables will be set up on the state park grounds with information and special event discounts for the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum gift shop, a children’s craft table, a face painting and caricatures table, an “Old Tyme Crafts” demonstration table, a Florida Park Service table and a BIPS membership table.

There will also be lots and lots of food. From fried fish to a low country boil, smoked mullet and a roasted pig with all the trimmings. McKenzie said that “old Florida” will be celebrated in tables and tables of food for all.

“The food is going to be wonderful,” she said. “Some of the local fishermen donating fish are Justin Sexton, Wayne Joiner, Mark Liberman, Charlie Coleman and Johnny Bylaska. Some of the local cooks are Baldy, Fireman Ray Bowers and Park Managers Chad Lach and Bob Stieger. If for no other reason than the food, this is definitely a community affair that should not be missed.”

A beer and wine garden will also be available, as well as entertainment.

“We will have $3 beers, $5 wines and $1 waters and lemonade,” McKenzie said. “The music is by a one man band named Herman who has played for the Junior League in Siesta Key several years in a row because he is so fabulous! We will also have a very nice history exhibit inside the chapel along with local artwork.”

The headline band at the celebration is SaintTone, who played downtown for the fall festival in October.

The cost for entry is $20 for adult wristbands, $10 for wristbands for children ages 5 to 10 and children under 5 get in free. The parking fee will be included with the wristband cost.

For many years island residents would gather at the south end of the island to cook fish, boil swamp cabbage and enjoy each other’s company. A special fish fry would be held on Halloween.

The Amory Chapel was originally known as the Shiloh Baptist Church and was used by the African-American population that lived on the south end of the island. It was built in 1959 by Roger and Louise Amory, and was put in the care of the Johann Fust Community Library. In 1986 the library donated the church to the Gasparilla Island Conversation and Improvement Association, and a year later it was donated by the GICIA to the state of Florida and became part of Gasparilla Island State Park.

It was renovated in 1996 through funds from the GICIA, the Boca Grande Woman’s Club, the Lee County Historic Preservation Board and the Venice Foundation and is now used for community events and weddings.

For more information contact the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Gift Shop at 964-0060.