By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–People sure must have been having a hankerin’ for the good catfish plates served at the World’s Biggest Fish Fry: A huge crowd was on hand for the Fish Tent opening Wednesday night, with lines stretching longer than they have in recent years.
Hostess Princess Victoria Owen tossed the ceremonial first hush puppy to her father, Jeremy, to officially open the Fish Tent for the 68th World’s Biggest Fish Fry. Owen told RadioNWTN that she and her Dad practiced just a bit with a tennis ball earlier Wednesday.
Long-time Jaycee David “Tater” Hayes told the crowd, “I’m overly excited about this tonight. I really didn’t realize just how important the Fish Fry was to the community until we didn’t have it. And I didn’t realize just how important all of you are to me until we didn’t have it. We have the best freaking community right here in Paris, Tennessee.” Last year’s Fish Fry was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.
The famous aluminum foil ball that represents all of the foil that has been used at the Fish Tent over the past 18 years was on display in a place of honor at the Fish Tent. Hayes has been collecting all the foil used during that time and the ball now weighs about 120 pounds. The aluminum foil ball always rides in the Grand Parade, which is held Friday at 10 a.m.
The catfish plates include catfish, white beans, hush puppies, slaw, French fries, onions and drink. All you can eat for $15 for adults and $10 children age 6 to 12.
The World’s Biggest Fish Fry continues through Saturday.
Volunteers frying hush puppies.
Rev. James Twilbeck showing what a good plate of catfish and all the fixins’ looks like.
The younger generation breading the catfish: Shawn David, Brooklyn McClain, Jessica Visser, Hunter and Fisher Lawrence.
Top photo: David “Tater” Hayes with aluminum foil ball.
Photos by Shannon McFarlin.