FRANKLIN—Cars lined the entrance to the American Legion building on Armory Drive Wednesday night, the drivers waiting to pick up batches of freshly fried fish for dinner.

Charles R. Younts American Legion Post 73 sold nearly 600 tickets for the semiannual fundraiser, and all members, including the Ladies Auxiliary, pitched in to get the food to ticket holders.

“We have about 300 years of experience here,” joked George Burgess as 87-year-old George Galtress cranked hush puppies into grease with a hand press.

At $7 a pop, diners were treated to fried fish, baked beans, cole slaw and hush puppies.