By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–It’s Happy Hushpuppies time!
The 71st annual week-long World’s Biggest Fish Fry will be chock full of everything that makes people happy–catfish dinners, a carnival, street dances, demolition derby, car and bike show, Hushpuppy Dash, concerts, arts and crafts show, Small Fry parade, Bulls and Barrels show, Junior Fishing Rodeo–and of course, the Grand Parade. And once again, the Grand Parade will be broadcast on two of our radio stations as well as livestreamed on our website and Youtube channels.
The Fish Fry starts Saturday, April 20, with the Hushpuppy Dash 5K Walk & Run at 8 a.m. at the fairgrounds; the car and bike show at 8 a.m. at the Krider Performing Arts Center parking lot; and the Demolition Derby at 7 p.m. at the Fairgrounds.
The Fish Fry goes goes through April 27 with activites every day.
The Kickoff Street Dance will be held downtown from 7-9 p.m. Monday, April 22. Admission Free.
The Carnival begins April 23 and runs through April 28 at the fairgrounds and is operated this year by PrimeTime Carnival.
The James Greer Band will perform at the Country Dance Tuesday, April 23, 7-10 pm. at the fairgrounds. Admission $5.
The Fish Tent opens at the fairgrounds Wednesday, April 24, and stays open through Saturday, April 27. ALL YOU CAN EAT fish dinners of catfish, hush puppies, French fries, cole slaw, onion and drink for $20 for adults and $12 for children 6-12. The Fish Tent opens at 5 p.m. with the Hush Puppy Toss by Queen Abby Smith.
The Christian Concert with The Jonathan Turner Band is Wednesday, April 24, from 7-8:45 p.m. at the fairgrounds.$5 donation.
Arts and Crafts Show runs from April 24-April 27 at the fairgrounds.
Friday is an especially big day, with the Grand Parade along East Wood St. It begins at 10 a.m. We will be broadcasting the parade on WTPR and WHNY and will be livestreaming the parade on our website at radionwtn.com and on our YouTube channel.
The Fish Tent that day opens at 11 a.m. That evening, the Championship Bulls and Barrels Showdown is at 7:30p.m. at the fairgrounds.
On Saturday, the Small Fry Parade will be held at 10 a.m. at Barton Field.
The Junior Fishing Rodeo will be held at 11 a.m. at Williams Lake. Free for children 12 and under.
Photo: The catfish dinners contain plenty of everything. Shannon McFarlin photo.