Masonic Lodge to resume fish fry tradition Friday

Working hard at the 2016 Greencastle Temple Lodge fish fry, Ed Wilson (right) empties a tray of fish into the fryer with help from fellow member Fred Dismukes. Now the worshipful master of the lodge, Wilson is helping lead the return of the fish fry this Friday, for the first time since 2016.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

A summer tradition in Greencastle for years, the annual fish fry at the Greencastle Temple Lodge No. 47 F&AM has been dormant since 2016.

While COVID-19 restrictions delayed the return from June to October, lodge members are excited to bring the tradition back to downtown Greencastle with fish available at the lodge, 118 E. Washington St., from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (or when the fish runs out) on Friday, Oct. 2.

As always, the fish will be hand-breaded and fried up on site.

Lodge Worshipful Master Ed Wilson said he and other lodge members have been asked a number of times over the years when the fish fry was coming back.

“It’s been a rough year,” Wilson said. “We thought it would be a good day for a fish fry.”

The logistics of this year’s event will be a little different than previous fish fries.

First of all, in the past, it’s been a two-day event. However, after four years off and while continuing to emerge from the pandemic, it made sense to reduce it to one this year.

“Once we got COVID behind us, we want to get it back to its former glory as a two-day event,” Wilson said.

Additionally, the serving and eating will be as socially distanced as possible. To this end, all food — which will include fish, onion rings and two other sides — will be served in to-go containers.

Additionally, the city has approved the closure of Vine Street between Washington to the parking lot behind Wilson’s Photography for socially-distanced seating.

All proceeds from the event will go toward upkeep of the historic Temple Lodge building. Anyone who would like to make an extra donation may do so. Additionally, even those who can’t make it Friday may send donations to P.O. Box 731, Greencastle, IN 46135.

“We’re really doing the best we can to keep the building in good repair,” Wilson said. “We would appreciate any and all support from the community.”