Volunteer firefighters Jacob Slair, right, and John Greaver cook food during a fish fry at the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Multiple fire departments and churches across Butler County are firing up their fryers for fish following the start of Lent last week.
County residents have waited since last Easter for Lenten fish fry season and the mouthwatering meatless meals prepared Fridays at various locations across the county.
Observant Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays, and many area churches and fire departments use their traditional Friday fish fries as a major fundraiser.
They have been dishing out generous portions of homemade seafood and sides to hungry Western Pennsylvania residents for generations.
In addition to fried and baked fish, and a plethora of savory side dishes, those who attend the fish fries also look forward to the smiling faces of the hardworking volunteers who toil all week to make the meals possible.
Gary Hartman, left, and Ken Kness eat at the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company's fish fry Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Slippery Rock Fire Chief Ryan Hanchosky, center, helps pack and serve food during a fish fry at the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Mark, Brianna and Deb Bell attend the fish fry at the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Finley Switzer, left, and Nathan Cypher watch videos while enjoying food from the fish fry at the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Cake provided by local churches is offered at the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company during a fish fry Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Slippery Rock volunteer firefighters serve fish, fries and more during a fish fry Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Slippery Rock volunteer firefighters serve fish, fries and more during a fish fry Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Slippery Rock volunteer firefighters serve fish, fries and more during a fish fry Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Slippery Rock volunteer firefighters cook fish during a fish fry Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Slippery Rock volunteer firefighters cook fish during a fish fry Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Volunteer firefighter John Greaver helps cook food during a fish fry at the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Volunteer firefigther Ulrich Sobehart helps pack orders at the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company's fish fry on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Volunteer firefigther Ulrich Sobehart helps deliver orders to patrons at the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company's fish fry Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Debbie Kness enjoys her meal at the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company's fish fry Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
