By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–A large –and chilly — crowd was on hand this morning for the opening of the World’s Biggest Fish Fry headquarters, located this year at 440 Fairgrounds Rd. in Paris.
General Manager Jordan Holland welcomed everyone, with the following announcements: Nashville Channel 2 Meteorologist Meaghan Thomas will be the Grand Marshal of the grand parade and the souvenir book is dedicated to long-time public servant, the late John Krezinski. And for something new this year, the grand parade itself is dedicated to Dwayne Baldwin, who has been keeping the parade moving for several years.
Hostess Princess Emma Brewer and her court First Maid Bryleigh Hayes, Seond Maid Maddie Grace Ellis and Fourth Maid Alyson Bizeau (Third Maid Madison Vermillion could not be there) did the honors of cutting the ribbon to open the headquarters.
Jaycee Monte Starks–who also is a Henry County Commissioner–read the book dedication, noting that Krezinski gave freely of his time without hesittion. Krezinski served at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office for 27 years, was in the Army for 38 years, was a school bus mechanic for 30 years and local constable for 20 years. He was named Volunteer Employee of the Year and recognized by Governor Bill Haslam and was Chief of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department for several years.
Members of Krezinski’s family were on hand for the announcement.
Meaghan Thomas visited Henry County in January, speaking at Lakewood Middle School and she made an impact, to say the least. While she was in Paris, she visited Perry’s BBQ, Sweet Jordan’s and the Eiffel Tower. Holland said, “We think she fell a bit in love with our community and the feeling is mutual.”
Thomas is an award-winning morning meteorologist for Channel 2 in Nashville and will be the Grand Parade Grand Marshal. Along with meteorology, Thomas’s passions include bringing awareness to the hard of hearing and deaf communities. She proudly wears bilateral hearing aids herself and has created a non-profit, The Heart of Hearing, Inc., and wrote a children’s book to raise awareness. (She could not be at the headquarters opening this morning.)
The grand parade is dedicated this year to Dwayne Baldwin, who has been keeping it running smoothly for many years. Baldwin joined the Jaycees at the age of 18 and was the General Manager of the Fish Fry when he was 22–still the youngest person to hold that title.
The 69th World’s Biggest Fish Fry will be held from April 23-30. Merchandise including t-shirts, beads, caps and more are available at headquarters.
Photo by Shannon McFarlin.