Paris, Tenn.–There’s a new ‘school’ of catfish statues in town!
You’ll find eight new catfish statues around Paris in the coming days, thanks to the Downtown Paris Association.
Started in 2019, the catfish statue project now boasts 32 total that are in public display. DPA Executive Director Tara Wilson said they will be making new maps that show where all of them are shortly.
The eight new ones are at: Trolinger’s, Moody’s Realty, KOA Campground, TCAT, Shamrock Dirt & Forestry, Paris Industrial, Patriot Mart, and the World’s Biggest Fish Fry.
Monte Starks of the Fish Fry said they now have two statues: one will be a permanent fixture at the World’s Biggest Fish Fry headquarters on E. Wood St. and the other will be a ‘traveling’ statue that they can take with them for various events. The fish “look a lot alike, with the World’s Biggest Fish Fry logo on them. We wanted to keep one here at the headquarters all the time for people who want to have their picture taken with them.”
Paris Artist Dan Knowles designed and painted the statues. The students at TCAT in Paris applied the clear coat on the statues before they were given to their new homes.
The DPA spearheaded the project to boost tourism. The project highlights Paris as the home o the annual “World’s Biggest Fish Fry”.
By the way, Fish Fry headquarters will hold its annual grand opening at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 28.
Photo: The new ‘school’ of catfish statues pose on the sidewalk outside of Dan Knowles’ studio. DPA photo.