Customers Hit Rick's Seafood In Mahopac, Prep For 'Feast Of Seven Fishes'

MAHOPAC, N.Y. -- The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a time-honored Italian tradition that started when waves of immigrants made their way from Italy to America, bringing their cherished traditions with them.

Locals prep for the 'Feast of the Seven Fishes' - picking up some of the area's freshest seafood at Rick's Seafood in Mahopac.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Rick's Seafood in Mahopac gets ready for the biggest weekend of the year, as area residents prepare for the 'Feast of Seven Fishes,' on Christmas Eve.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Many area residents will be heading towards Rick's Seafood in Mahopac, and other area seafood markets in preparation for Saturday's 'Feast of the Seven Fishes.'
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Rick's Seafood in Mahopac gets ready for the biggest weekend of the year, as residents prepare for the 'Feast of Seven Fishes,' on Christmas Eve.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Rick's Seafood in Mahopac.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Skip Pearlman

12/24/2016 8:00 a.m.

“Cena della Vigilia,” or the Christmas Eve dinner, started when Catholics fasted to anticipate the birth of the baby Jesus on Christmas Day. The fast would end when they received Holy Communion during Midnight Mass. Since meat cannot be eaten during the fast, Italians indulged in seven different types of fish or “fishes.”

Friday morning Daily Voice visited Rick's Seafood in Mahopac , where early birds were out buying the Christmas Eve 'fishes,' trying to avoid the Saturday morning rush - which will be the busiest day of the year for area fish markets.

"It definitely is the busiest day of the year," Hilary Cunningham of Rick's told Daily Voice. "It's a long couple of days for all of us, and we do order a lot more fish for this weekend. But this is great - we have repeat customers every year, so it's awesome. We love meeting everyone's fish needs for the holiday."

"We do it every year," Mike Muenz, of Mahopac said. "The seven fishes.... and we've been doing it for many years. And the fish is very fresh here - that's why we come back here. That's why I'm here this early to get it."

"My wife's family does it, has all the fishes," Tim Donaghy, of Mahopac, said. "We always stop and get the fish here because the quality is always great."

Rick's Seafood is located at 545 Route 6 in Mahopac.

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