By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Dark clouds may have been overhead, but no rain appeared and the World’s Biggest Fish Fry Grand Parade was another crowd-pleaser.
Some 43,000 people lined the streets for the parade, which consisted of some 70 entries, including eight area high school bands, seven of the county’s fire departments, beauty queens, local, state and national politicians, all overseen by Grand Marshal Garry Mason and his wife, Cindy.
Bands participating in this year’s parade were the Henry County Marching Patriots, Inman Band, McKenzie, Peabody, Camden Central, Stewart County, Humboldt and Hollow Rock-Bruceton. Fire departments in the parade were Paris, Springville, Mansfield, Paris Landing, Henry, Puryear, Oakland, plus the Forestry Service.
Politicians marching in the parade included Congressperson Marsha Blackburn, Congressman David Kustoff, State Rep. Tandy Darby, and State Sen. John Stephens.
Winning the General Manager’s trophy was the students from TCAT. Other winners were: Most Original, Come Grow With Me, FFA; Best Club or Church, Fishin’ For Veterans; Most Beautiful, WBFF Miss Pre-Teen; Best Out of Town, Little Miss Medina; Best Decorated Golf Cart, Apex Bank; Business Float, KOA campground.
The crew from our stations livestreamed the parade and it can be seen on the HenryCountyNow, WTPR and WHNY Facebook pages.
Photo: Members of the Henry County Marching Patriots. Shannon McFarin photo.