Established in 1964, Port Fish Day, Inc. is incorporated as a 501(c)(3). No dividends or pecuniary profits shall be declared or paid to any Officer, Director, or any other person associated with the Corporation. No part of any net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any individual. Fish Day has been the financial lifeline for nine civic organizations that run the fish and chips stands, just as they have since 1964. The stands profits are turned back to the community in a variety of ways, some are easily visible from the Fish Day grounds along the Lake Michigan waterfront; Rotary Park, the harbor walk that leads to the grounds, Kiwanis Pavilion and the marina's fish cleaning stations. Other contributions to the community are part of the quality of life. Scholarships, recreational programs, assistance for people who have met life-challenging problems, Scout troops, and a variety of other efforts are beneficiaries of the celebration. One of the attractions of the stands is that each of the nine organizations serves the same menu that has been prepared since the first Fish Day on August 21, 1965 -- deep-fried fish and chips, beer and soda. The many facets of Fish Day include a Run/Walk, Parade, Carnival, Helicopter Rides, 5 Music Stages, Arts & Crafts, Custom Car & Hot Rods, Ice Cream Eating Contest, Smoked Fish Eating Contest and huge Fireworks. As the 10PM fireworks finale reverberates, the committee starts planning for the next third Saturday in July.
