Paris, Tenn.–At a busy meeting of the Henry County Tourism Authority Monday, the board approved a motion that will increase the money used to recruit more marching bands to appear in the annual World’s Biggest Fish Fry parade.
Upon a motion by Paris City Manager Kim Foster, the board increase the money paid to the Fish Fry from $2,500 to $5,000.
Tara Wilson, assistant director of the Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee, said the event has been paying $500 per band for some time and the increase will hopefully help to draw more bands, including those from the University of Tennessee at Martin and Murray State University. “We’d really like to see more bands at the Fish Fry parade,” she said.
In other business:
The Board approved funding of $25,000 for the 2024 Tennessee River Jam. Interim Chamber Director Rachel Steedly pointed out that the Jam has received some $35,000 from the Tourism board in past years.
Steedly reiterated what has been reported in press releases from the Chamber–that the event will be smaller this year, with the main event set for downtown Paris. It will be a free event, with Little Texas and Sister Hazel, performing Saturday, June 1, with popular local musicians also on the bill.
–The board approved $5,000 for the American Bass Anglers championship set for March 2025 at Paris Landing State Park.
Photo: The Henry County Schools Marching Patriots leads the Fish Fry parade. Shannon McFarlin photo.