Historical Society prepares for old-fashioned fundraiser

Every year, the menu at the Longboat Key Historical Society’s Old Time Fish Fry features mullet. But, occasionally, the Historical Society president receives a suggestion: There are more fish to fry.

That may be true, but a fish fry with any other fish wouldn’t be an authentic Longboat Key old-time fish fry.

“The reason they had the fish fry this time of year back then in the 1950s was that mullet is plentiful,” Mayers said. “You’ve got to have mullet on the menu.”

But a lot has changed since then. In the 1950s, residents held fish fries to raise money for the Longboat Key Volunteer Fire Department. In 2005, the Historical Society resurrected the tradition to raise money for its programs. And this year’s event will be known as the Pioneer Day Fish Fry instead of the Old Time Fish Fry.

But the mullet remains a must.

This year’s fish fry, scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub, 760 Broadway, will feature a menu of both mullet and grouper, fried-green tomatoes, cheese grits, two complimentary glasses of wine or beer and more, along with entertainment from Blues Pig.

According to Mayers, the Historical Society changed the name of the event because it is hoping to attract more Key pioneers. And how do you know if you’re a pioneer?

At past fish fries, Historical Society members defined a pioneer as someone who had lived on the island for at least 50 years. When they couldn’t find any pioneers, they moved the number down to 40. They found more pioneers when they moved the requirement to 30. Although they found some who met the requirement when they set the requirement at 20 years, some of the pioneers had lived off of the island for a period of time and then returned.

“We have a broad view of what a pioneer is,” Mayers said.

Also, Mayers said, “pioneer” sounds a lot better than “old-timer.”

But Longboaters, both pioneers and new-timers, have a good reason to attend the fish fry.

“The pub always makes a point of serving good, local cuisine,” Mayers said.

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Where to Buy Tickets
• First Bank, 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 101
• Longboat Key Historical Society Museum, 6826 Gulf of Mexico Drive
• Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive
• The Longboat Observer, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive
• Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub, 760 Broadway
• Michael Saunders & Co. Longboat Key South office, 440 Gulf of Mexico Drive
• Michael Saunders & Co. Mid-Key office, 3174 Gulf of Mexico Drive


Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].