For 45 years, the members of St. Peter Catholic Church in Columbia have been offering Lenten Fish Frys to the community.

"The event is a tradition in our parish," said Claire Storm, fish fry committee member. "It was started by our parents and handed down, so now a younger generation has taken over and the tradition continues."

This year's Lenten Fish Fry will begin on Friday, Feb. 16, and will continue on Fridays through March 22. The event is open to the public, and dine-in and takeout options will be available from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Center, Second and Union streets, Columbia.

The menu will include platters of one or two crab cakes, baked haddock, fried fillet of fish, fried shrimp, fish sticks, fried scallops, fried oysters or breaded fried clam strips. Macaroni and cheese, french fries, stewed tomatoes, a vegetable, coleslaw and a dinner roll are included in the price of the platter. A la carte items include a crab cake sandwich, a fried fish fillet sandwich, an oyster sandwich, french fries, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, coleslaw and cheesy bread sticks with marinara sauce. Quarts, pints and bowls of homemade soups will be available each week as well. On Feb. 16 and March 8, potato soup will be served. On Feb. 23, minestrone will be featured, and on March 1, cream of crab will be on the menu. Cheesy broccoli will be offered on March 15, and Maryland crab will be served on March 22. A variety of individually wrapped baked goods made by the women of the parish will also be available for purchase each Friday as well as a variety of drinks.

As Storm explained, the fish fry tradition began at the church as a way to honor a Catholic dietary restriction during the season of Lent.

"Jesus died on Good Friday, so Catholics and other religions refrain from eating meat in His honor on Fridays. It is a form of penance," she explained. "The tradition is to abstain from meat, not necessarily to eat fish."

The fish fry is a fundraiser for the Parish Council of Catholic Women, Storm said, noting that proceeds will benefit various activities in the parish, Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School, Water for Life and other nonprofits. Congregation members begin prepping each meal the day before, making crab cakes and setting up, Storm remarked. The men of the parish assist with the setup, cleanup, heavy lifting, washing dishes and working in the kitchen.

Reservations are not required for the fish fry. There are two parking lots at the church as well as parking on the street.

"Enjoy a tasty, filling meal at a reasonable price," Storm said, encouraging people to come to the fish fry. "You just never know who you may meet there as people from Columbia and surrounding areas come to enjoy good food and to socialize."