Since 1975, the primary fund raising event for the North Shore Rotary Club has been the annual Catfish Fry and Crawfish Boil. The successful event known today is due to the hard work and dedication of every North Shore Rotarian, coupled with knowledge of lessons learned from previous years events. Today's Catfish Fry and Crawfish Boil grew from Rotarian Billy Mayo's Original idea of a shrimp boil. After months of planning for the shrimp boil, it became apparent that the cost of shrimp had risen so high that the event would have to be cancelled. Key members of the planning committee, in a series of meetings, eventually came up with the idea for a crawfish boil. Concerned that not everyone would care for crawfish, Rotarian C. L. Roy suggested adding catfish to the menu. Committees were formed, Chairmen were appointed, and the planning began. The inaugural Fish Fry was held at San Jacinto College North Campus, with the catfish and crawfish being cooked by Che Orleans from St. Charles, Louisiana. In general, the event went well except for the long line which formed waiting for catfish. In response to the long line, several members of the North Shore Rotary Club decided that they could do a better job preparing the catfish. From that time on, with the exception of one year, the members of the club have been responsible for cooking the catfish. The venue has changed several times throughout the years, moving from San Jacinto College North Campus to the Budweiser Brewery, Alexander Deussen Park and finally settling in our present location at the North Shore Rotary Pavilion on Wallisville Road. The event has been a proven success year after year. The best way to demonstrate the success of the fundraiser is to simply show the amount of monies that have been spent in the North Shore area through the North Shore Rotary Club as a result of the Fish Fry.
