The line led down Main Street. (Cynthia Sowden)
March 7, the first Friday of the Ukrainian American Community Center’s annual Lenten fish fry, was a complete sellout.
The line began at the corner of Third and Main Street and snaked all the way up the block into the UACC building, where it wound around the main hall twice before reaching the serving window.
A 20-year-old singer from Ukraine, Olessia Kichuk, entertained the crowd as it wended its way toward the kitchen with Ukrainian folksongs and rock music by Metallica.
Ukrainian singer Olessia Kichuk entertained guests; she returned to Ukraine the following day. (Cynthia Sowden)
The fish fry has always been popular, but this opening night was different. It occurred just days after President Donald Trump held a highly contentious televised meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Feb. 28. Dima Blyshchak, UACC president, said the political controversy brought out people who want to support Ukraine.
“We always have a good crowd,” he said, “but we didn’t expect that many people!” Toward the end of the evening, the kitchen began to run out of food. He said more than 1,500 meals were served.
Blyshchak said UACC received more than 100 calls about the fish fries after the opening night sellout, and volunteers were gearing up for larger crowds for subsequent Fridays. They served 500 on March 14.
Right, Paulina Frayman, left, and Alina Sleutsky served dinners. (Cynthia Sowden)
The fish fries will continue March 28, April 4 and 11, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children 6-12; little ones eat free. Proceeds go to UACC programs and for humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Takeout is available. Order online at www.uaccmn.org.
