The Fort Atkinson Lions Club is once again replacing its “Smelt and Fish Fry” with a “March Madness” raffle, with drawings held throughout the month, according to information recently released by the group.
According to the release, Fort Lions continue to innovate without in-person gatherings.
The release offered some history, noting that the Fort Atkinson Lions Club Smelt and Fish Fry was held annually for 49 years until 2020.
The event was canceled in 2021, as it will be again in 2022, with the release calling the cancelations a “difficult decision.”
“While a takeout fish option was a consideration, the socialization with friends at the event would be missing, and that is one of the things that makes this Lions event an important gathering for our community,” club President Dave Ring was quoted as saying in the release.
The club makes contributions to many community activities and wants to continue to offer support. Without the Smelt and Fish Fry and the organization’s Corn and Chicken dinner, both of which were canceled last year, and no Smelt and Fish Fry in 2022, the club’s income sources have been compromised. To help fill the void, the club is again conducting its March Madness calendar raffle, the release stated.
Raffle tickets are $20 each, the release continued.
A drawing will be held on all Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in March at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building.
“Once a ticket is drawn, it is returned to the ticket pool, so buyers can win multiple times,” Lion Michelle Ebbert, who is heading the March Madness ticket project, said in the release.
Tickets are available through Fort Atkinson Lions Club members and by visiting the club’s Facebook page. Those interested in ticket purchases may also contact Ebbert: Mchllann@yahoo.com.
Tickets are also available at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building, 101 N. Main St.
Lions club members Michelle Ebbert, from left, Jim Glynn and Nancy Onufer display March Madness tickets. Contributed photo.
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