Paris Landing Tourism League

Apr 26, 2022

Cat-N-Blast Sets New Record

CAST-N-BLAST RAISES RECORD $25,000 FOR CARL PERKINS CENTER
April 26, 2022
@ 8:59 am
Shannon McFarlin

Paris, Tenn.–It was one for the record books, with perfect weather contributing to the large turnout and record amount raised at Saturday’s annual Cast-N-Blast at Paris Landing State Park. The Cast-N-Blast benefits the Henry County Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

A record 39 boats, 14 kids in the Fishing Rodeo, and four Turkey Teams participated this year.

Director Carly Wheat said, “This was the best year yet raising over $25,000. Saturday was a warm, sunny, and windy day and a great turn out at the kids fishing rodeo.”

1st place winners of $2000 were Jake Lawrence and Aiden Lawrence with a catch of 19.91 lbs.

TWRA and Birds of Prey on site made for a fun event, she said. “Many thanks to the Tournament Director Chris Davis, HCSO, staff, volunteers, and many generous sponsors who made the event possible!”

Weigh in totals for Cast-N-Blast:

1st place $2000- 19.91 lbs Jake Lawrence and Aiden Lawrence

2nd place $900-19.37 lbs Steve Clenney.

3rd place $600- 18.95 lbs Eric Law and Eric Shelton

4th place $300- 16.61 lbs Barry Arnold and Jammey McCord

5th place $250- 16.42 lbs Coy Small and Sam Small

6th place $150- 15.85 lbs Tommy Milranney and Thomas Milranney

7th place $125- 15.82 lbs Marshall Russell and Hunter Garrett

8th place $100- 15.66 lbs Dillion McGee and Michael Gaskin

9th place $75- 15.39 lbs Rob Vannerson and Pete Holmes

10th place $50- 13.65 lbs Jack Hehn and Kevin Ray

*Big fish $250- 6.62 lbs Barry Arnold and Jammey McCord

Apr 22, 2022

Nature Center at Paris Landing State Park

PARIS LANDING STATE PARK NATURE CENTER OPENING SET

April 21, 2022
@ 6:40 pm
Shannon McFarlin

By Shannon McFarlin News Director

Buchanan, Tenn.–The Paris Landing State Park Nature Center will open Friday, April 22 with a collection of displays and live wildlife.

Ranger Gina Lowry said Friday’s opening will be a soft opening, with a grand opening later.

Friday’s hours will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with hot dogs served to everyone from 11 to noon. Over the weekend, Saturday and Sunday hours will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Nature Center will only be open on weekends (8 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days) until June 1, when the hours will expand to Thursday through Sundays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Nature Center is a team effort by the Paris Landing staff, including Park Manager Zach Tinkle, rangers, maintenance and park staff and volunteers.

The grounds include a native wildlife garden, walking trail, doggie and human water fountains, and kiosk with current events posted. A community vegetable garden is also planned.

Inside the Nature Center are live wildlife including turtles, fish, snakes, gray tree frogs and a falcon, with numerous educational displays and wildlife collections of native rocks, pelts, and information on the animals that can be found in the park, such as Bald Eagles, ospreys and more. The turtles can travel over wooden bridges made by the maintenance staff, who also made the other wildlife displays.

The Nature Center will be constantly evolving with more displays added. The maintenance crew has been working on the center for some time, totally re-doing what used to be a storage area into the center.

The Nature Center is located on Bridgeview Road near the Don Ridgeway Visitor Center.

Photo by Shannon McFarlin.