FRIED TO PERFECTION - To the right, Randy and Lauri Tuchtenhagen were ready for dinner at the Ellendale Fire Fighters Fish Fry fundraiser on Friday, March 27, 2026.
Ellendale Firefighter fish fry supports new facility
Wed, 04/01/2026 - 11:45pm
The annual Ellendale Fire Department Fish Fry took place over the dinner hour on Friday, March 27. Thanks to the firefighters’ efforts, there were plenty of full plates with lots of fish to go around.
Since the new fire hall isn’t complete yet, the fire trucks that have been parked in the back of the community hall were temporarily moved over to the new firehall to make room. Those in charge opened up the back of the hall and set up long tables to allow much more space in both the hall and the garage. There were children running hither and thither, with lots of moms and dads following behind, carrying plates loaded with fish, coleslaw, franks and beans and gallons and gallons of tartar sauce. There was also an option of chicken fingers for those not in the mood for fish. To-go orders were also available.
Over in the new fire hall,18 oil fryers stood ready to make more fish if needed. Ellendale Fire Chief Logan Busho took a break from frying long enough for a short talk, “We still have an hour or so to go, but we’ve fried 380 pounds of fish so far. All the volunteers here tonight are firemen or family of fire. All of us are here except for one person who couldn’t make it. The proceeds from today all go towards getting our new fire hall setup finished. I am pretty sure we’ll be done by June of this year.”
He pointed past the fire trucks toward the big garage doors that had been opened only partially to allow for ventilation. “The trucks are in here today, but since our driveway is still only gravel, if we get a hard enough rain, the trucks could sink, and we can’t have that. Till the cement is poured out there, we need to stay in the community hall. We also have a ladder truck parked over in the maintenance garage and a tanker parked outside for now.” He was asked about the turnout and he replied, “We have lots of people who have shown up and that’s what we like to see. Things have been moving along smoothly. I believe this is our thirteenth year doing this, so we’ve had a little practice.”
Anyone wishing to donate toward the new Ellendale fire hall setup is invited to send checks to: PO Box 385 Ellendale MN 56026.