By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Despite chilly weather and a steady drizzle, a huge crowd was on hand for the 2021 World’s Biggest Fish Fry Grand Parade.
Paris Police Chief Ricky Watson estimated the crowd at 25,000 and thanked everyone from the city’s street department to law enforcement, Paris-Henry County Jaycees and all the volunteers who helped make the parade event a success. “Everything went really smoothly, no problems along the route at all,” Watson said. “I think everyone was just so happy to be out again.”
The Fish Fry was cancelled for the first time in its history last year due to the COVID pandemic.
Fish Fry General Manager Loria Plunk echoed those comments, noting there have been record crowds for all of the events held this week for the World’s Biggest Fish Fry. Crowds have been lining up for the Fish Tent and there was a sell-out for the demolition derby, along with large crowds for the carnival and dances. “People want to show support for the Fish Fry but I think people are just wanting to be out and doing things again,” she said.
There were fewer bands this year in the parade–the Henry County High School Marching Patriots, Camden HS Band and the Stewart County HS Band–but there were dozens of floats and other entries for the event.
Grand Marshal was George “Tink” Combs, who left his car several times along the route to shake hands with everyone.
Parade winners were:
Most Original: first, Cherokee Nation; second, Sailing Into the Future, REAL Hope; third, Fishing For A Cure.
Best CLub or Church: first, Paris First United Pentecostal; second, Just Serve; third, VFW 1889.
Most Beautiful: first, Sweet Jordan’s; second, Swing Into Spring, WBFF; third, WBFF Queen and Court.
Out of Town float: first, Iris Festival; second, Ms. McKenzie; third, Iris Festival.
The Fish Fry continues through Saturday. Tonight’s events include the Carnival, Championship Bulls and Barrels Showdown, Saturday events include the Small Fry Parade in downtown Paris at 10 a.m., the Junior Fishing Rodeo at Williams Lake at 11 a.m. and the Bulls and Barrels.
Don Ridgeway interviews Grand Marshal George Combs for our live coverage
Hostess Princess Victoria Owen and her court
Henry County High School Band
Photos by Shannon McFarlin