World's Biggest Fish Fry Festival

The World’s Biggest Fish Fry revolves around fried catfish dinners (12,000 pounds to be exact), parades, dancing, rodeo nights, carnival rides, fishing and more.

The World's Biggest Fish Fry invites you to the Headquarters Grand Opening! Join us on Saturday, March 30th at 10 am for the Grand Opening on 219 Tyson Avenue.

This long-standing spring celebration began as “Mule Day” in 1938. After Kentucky Lake was formed, it became the World's Biggest Fish Fry, a celebration of fishing, food and friends!

The goal of this favorite festival? Making sure every guest goes home well fed and happy. If you didn’t grow up around the delicacy of catfish, a platter served in the “Fish Tent” might seem overwhelming. The generous portions include farm-raised catfish fried to perfection, hushpuppies, coleslaw, beans, French fries piled high and a cold drink to wash it all down.

Schedule:

10am - Small Fry Parade

A Local Favorite, the Small Fry Parade Allows Parents, Businesses, Schools, and Other Groups to Show Off the "Littles” of Our Community in a Scaled-down Parade. Featuring Children 0-6 Years-old, This Event Takes Place in Downtown Paris the Morning After the Grand Parade, Just Prior to the Catfish Races.

Entrants Walk the Route or Ride on Colorful, Non-motorized Floats That Are Pulled by Hand. Expect to See Everyone From Humpty Dumpty to Elvis to a Marching Group of Crayons in This Parade That is Always Filled With Fun Surprises, Great Photo Ops and Plenty of “awwww” Moments. Potential Participants Can Register for the Parade by Wednesday, April 24th.

Barton Field

10am-8:30pm - Arts and Crafts Show

Immerse Yourself in a Vibrant Showcase of Handmade Wonders Where Talented Artisans Bring Their Unique Creations to Life. From Intricately Crafted Jewelry to Stunning Paintings, There’s Something for Every Art Enthusiast.

11:00 Am - 1:00pm - Junior Fishing Rodeo

Picture a Sparkling, Spring-fed Lake With Scores of Grownups Helping Young Anglers Bait Hooks, Cast Lines and Reel in Hungry Fish. This Has Been the Scene at Williams Lake During the Junior Fishing Rodeo for as Long as Most Folks Can Remember.

The Fun Starts at 11 a.m. And Runs Till 1 P.m. But Consider Arriving Early for the Best Spot.

Prizes Are Awarded to the Boy and Girl in Each Age Group Catching the Biggest Fish and the Most Fish. Age Brackets Are: 4 and Under; 5-8; and 9-12.

Williams Lake, Greenacres Drive

11am - Catfish Races

Swimming Down 15-foot, Clear-plastic Racing Troughs, Locally Caught Catfish Compete for Prizes for Their Sponsors. Everyone Can Participate in the Catfish Races by Sponsoring a Fish in This Stand-out Event and Those Who Register Early Will Receive a Colorful Race T-shirt. An Opportunity Prior to the Event is to Write and Submit a Fish Tale to the Paris Post-intelligencer (P-i). Several Will Be Printed in the P-i, and Winning Tales Will Be Read Aloud on Race Day. Named After Local Long-time Editor and Publisher of the Paris Post-intelligencer, the Bill Willaims Catfish Races Benefit Real Hope Youth Center.

Downtown Paris - Henry County Courthouse Lawn

11am-9pm - Fish Tent

This is What You’ve Been Waiting for: the Mouth-watering, All-you-can-eat Catfish Dinner at the Fish Tent. Yes, We Know It’s Not Really a Tent, It’s a Building. But Back in the Day, This Fabulous Meal Was Served in an Enormous, Canvas Tent, So in the Name of Nostalgia (and Southerners Love Nostalgia) We Call It a Tent.

After Purchasing a Ticket for Your Catfish Dinner With All the Trimmings, Hop in Line and Entertain Yourself With the Artwork of Local Children. The Walls Are Decorated With Hundreds of Colored Posters of Catfish Enjoying the Carnival, Riding a Bucking Bull at the Rodeo, or Swimming to the Catfish Races.

Henry County Fairgrounds

11am - Midnight - Carnival

The World’s Biggest Fish Fry Carnival Helps Foster a Sense of Community Engagement, Allowing Locals to Invite Friends and Family From Outside of Paris to Enjoy the Festivities.

Henry County Fairgrounds

7:30pm - Championship Bulls & Barrels Showdown

Ready for a Wild Ride? Experience the Adrenaline as Fearless Riders Take on Powerful Bulls and Skilled Barrel Racers Compete for the Fastest Time. Little Cowgirls and Boys Eight and Younger Can Enter Mutton Bustin’ - Riding Sheep! Kids Twelve and Under Can Enjoy the Calf Scramble and Attempt to Catch, Halter, and Lead Calves Across the Finish Line. Don’t Miss Out on the Rodeo Action! Purchase Your Advance Rodeo Tickets Now and Enjoy a Night of Country Fun.

Round Up Your Family and Friends for a Weekend Filled With Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Mutton Bustin’ and More at the World’s Biggest Fish Fry Championship Bulls & Barrels Showdown! You Won’t Want to Miss This Rodeo Extravaganza.

Advance Tickets: Adults: $12, Children: $7 (Ages 6-12)

Gate Tickets: Adults: $15, Children: $12 (Ages 6-12)

Free Admission for Children Under 6 When Accompanied by an Adult.

Date: April 20,22-28, 2024