72nd annual World’s Biggest Fish Fry draws visitors from all over

PARIS, Tenn. — Festivities for the World’s Biggest Fish Fry are in full swing.

This event is a celebration of Henry County’s rich fishing heritage and features a variety of activities, including a parade, carnival rides, live music, and of course, delicious fish dinners.

“I have all you can eat catfish. It’s U.S. farm raised catfish. It’s $20 dollars all you can eat. It’ll come with the hush puppies, mayonnaise slaw, vinegar, slaw, fries and Pepsi,” said Josh Taylor, chair of fish tent.

At the 72nd World’s Biggest Fish Fry they can feed over 300 guest per hour. That’s a lot of food. It’s so good people just keep coming back.

“I can feed at max capacity 375 to 400 people an hour. I think I’ve got seating for 536 people in the building,” said Taylor.

Volunteers go through 12,000lbs of fish, 20,000lbs of french fries, 40,000 hush puppies, 800lbs of vinegar slaw, 400lbs of mayo slaw, and several gallons of ketchup. The fish fry is a beloved tradition and draws visitors from all over the region.

“There was a lady that came here form northern Oregon and she was like the 5th person in line. The people that were there — because she rode buses from Oregon to here to come eat, they moved her up in front so she could eat,” said Taylor.

Taylor tells us it’s all about making a difference.

“Some of the stuff you see in here is just the whole community coming together to help put everything together because it’s a big undertaking; it’s worth it in the end,” said Taylor.

We also spoke to the general manager of the fish fry, Jennifer Starks, and asked her what her favorite part of the event is.

“Mine is the parade. I’m over the grand parade, so I’m really excited about Friday, it’s always neat to see all the pageant floats and get to see all the creative business floats witch is are new category this year is what I’m excited about,” said Starks.

You can still enjoy the event through Saturday, April 26 at 517 royal Oak Drive in Paris. To see a full list of fish fry festivities going on throughout the week, click here.

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