World's Biggest Fish Fry - It's Back!

From the Paris Post-Intelligencer, by Michael Williams

The World’s Biggest Fish Fry is officially returning this spring.

After the 67th annual version had to be canceled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 68th anniversary Fish Fry will take place April 17-24, the last full week in April, according to Chris Martin, president of World’s Biggest Fish Fry Inc., which works closely with the Paris-Henry County Jaycees to sponsor the Fish Fry.

“We plan on having a full-blown Fish Fry,” he said, after the board made the decision Wednesday evening.

Martin said it’s too late to schedule new Fish Fry pageants this spring, and the royalty selected last year didn’t have a chance to reign during a Fish Fry week. So last year’s royalty will have that honor this April.

Also, the same carnival from the 2019 Fish Fry will be returning this year, the demolition derby will take place April 17 and the Championship Bulls and Barrels Showdown will have to be trimmed to two nights, April 23-24.

The grand parade will be on April 23, which is Friday of Fish Fry week.

Martin said the board is confident a pretty fair percentage of the people coming to the Fish Fry will have a chance to receive the COVID vaccination by then.

He also said he personally believes COVID isn’t going away, so the community needs to figure out how to proceed with big local events like Fish Fry.

The board will be providing hand-sanitizing stations and asking the public to wear face masks and for families to remain six feet apart at the parades and as many of the other events as possible.

“We would love to have volunteers to help with sanitizing,” he said, especially at the fish “tent.”

Church groups, civic organizations and individuals are asked to volunteer by calling the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce at 642-3431.

He said the Jaycees just don’t have the manpower to add that chore to their long list of things to do during Fish Fry, so volunteers are really needed to help keep the community safer, especially sanitizing picnic tables and commonly touched areas at the fish tent.