Blog Post

World’s Biggest Fish Fry world record in Paris, Tennessee

October 10, 2023

Paris, Tennessee, United States--Volunteers prepared and served over 12,500 pounds of catfish and all the trimmings during the World's Biggest Fish Fry that was held in Paris, Tennessee, United States; in addition to all you can eat catfish you will find parades, carnival, rodeos, catfish races, dances, arts and crafts to name a few; the festival sets the world record for being the World’s Biggest Fish Fry, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"The World’s Biggest Fish Fry is a premier event for Paris – Henry County and West Tennessee. The last full week of April annually attracts people locally as well as nationally. Visitors come from across the country to enjoy the festivities," the City of Paris Tennessee says.

"The whole festival revolves around the “Fish Tent” where by last account over 12,500 pounds of catfish is served with all the trimmings. In addition to all you can eat catfish you will find parades, carnival, rodeos, catfish races, dances, arts and crafts to name a few. Events actually begin early in February with beauty pageants leading up to the week long celebration.

"The “Fish Fry” as everyone calls it around here evolved from “Mule Day”, which originated in 1938 with the Paris Post Intelligencer as the first sponsor. Farmers came to town on the first Monday in April to trade their mules and other farm products, do their shopping and enjoy the fellowship of their friends. Early in the 1950’s the Chamber of Commerce took over “Mule Day” complete with a parade and beauty queens. When the tractor began to replace the mules the Chamber of Commerce contemplated another event to replace “Mule Day”.

"The whole festival revolves around the “Fish Tent” where by last account over 12,500 pounds of catfish is served with all the trimmings," the Paris Henry County Chamber says.

"In addition to all you can eat catfish you will find parades, carnival, rodeos, catfish races, dances, arts and crafts to name a few. Events actually begin early in February with beauty pageants leading up to the week long celebration."

"The famous World’s Biggest Fish Fry, the last full week of April in Paris, TN, features scrumptious, fried catfish and more. Enjoy the Grand Parade, Small Fry Parade and Downtown Paris Chalk Crawl. Fish with the kiddos, kick up your heels at the street dances, ride the rides, cheer at the rodeo, demolition derby and other memorable, family-friendly events," the Tennessee River Valley Geotourism says.

“Fish Fry” evolved from “Mule Day”, which originated in 1938. Farmers came to town on the first Monday in April to trade mules, farm products, do their shopping and enjoy the fellowship of friends and neighbors. Early in the 1950s the Chamber of Commerce took over “Mule Day” complete with a parade and beauty queens. As mules were replaced by tractors, the Chamber contemplated an entirely different event.

"In 1953, the Chamber held the first “Fish Fry”. Unfortunately,the fish were not from Kentucky Lake and didn’t live up to the palates of the fish-eating public. The parade was short and the event was held at the E.W. Grove High School's Barton Field for only one day and evening."

"This annual festival in Paris, Tennessee, was originally called "Mule Day" when it began in 1938. Mule Day was sponsored by the local newspaper, the Paris Post Intelligencer, to encourage local farmers to come to town on the first Monday in April to trade their mules and farm animals, shop, and visit with their friends," the American Memory says.

"With the advent and popularity of tractors on the family farm, the selling of mules declined significantly. The Henry County Chamber of Commerce acquired the "mule day" event, and replaced it with a Fish Fry in 1953. The event was not as successful as it might have been if the fish were caught locally, rather than shipped in from other parts of the country. However, the annual Fish Fry continued and grew.

"In 1961, the Paris-Henry County Jaycees took over the event and extended its name to "World's Biggest Fish Fry." For the event, Jaycees cooked more than 1,600 pounds of catfish, and sponsored several events. In 1998, the week-long festival held five beauty pageants, a street dance, a carnival, a rodeo, an arts and crafts show, an auto show, two parades, and cooked more than 13,000 pounds of catfish! More than 100,000 people attended."

"The "Fish Fry" evolved from "Mule Day," which originated in 1938 with the Paris Post Intelligencer as the first sponsor. Farmers came to town on the first Monday in April to trade their mules and other farm products, do their shopping and enjoy the fellowship of their friends. Early in the 1950's, the Chamber of Commerce took over "Mule Day" and the tractors took the place of mules. The Chamber of Commerce started looking for another event to replace "Mule Day," the Explore Kentucky Lake says

In 1953, the Chamber of Commerce held the first "Fish Fry." The event was not as successful as hoped. The fish were not taken from Kentucky Lake and just did not please the fish eating public. The parade was short but sweet, and the event was held on Barton Field for one day and night.

"Since 1961, the "World's Biggest Fish Fry" has grown considerable - from 1,600 pounds to over 5 tons of catfish being cooked and served at the Robert E. "Bobby" Cox Memorial Fish Tent. Community participation and support of the "World's Biggest Fish Fry" unites the community in many ways. Community involvement by attending one of the five beauty pageants, buying souvenirs, eating fish dinners, attending the rodeo, entering or watching the Grand Parade or the Small Fry Parade, and going to the carnival makes the event successful."

"Over 12,500 pounds of catfish are served at the Bobby Cox Memorial Fish Tent during the World's Biggest Fish Fry, a Paris and Henry County tradition which kicks off the festival season in West Tennessee," the Paris Landing.com says.

"Since 1961, the "World's Biggest Fish Fry" has grown considerably, from 1600 pounds of catfish to over 5 tons of catfish being cooked and served at the Robert E. "Bobby" Cox Memorial Fish Tent. The history of the "Fish Fry" started with the farmers and their mules. Each past "Fish Fry" makes new history with trying new and different things, bigger crowds, more catfish served ad more community involvement.

"Community participation and support of the "World's Biggest Fish Fry" brings the community together in many ways. Community involvement by attending one of the five beauty pageants, buying souvenirs, eating fish dinners, attending the rodeo, entering or watching the Grand Parade, or the Small Fry Parade, and going to the carnival, makes the event successful."

"The World’s Biggest Fish Fry is focused around 12,000+ pounds of catfish served annually in Paris. This long-standing spring tradition, which began as “Mule Day” in 1938 became the World’s Biggest Fish Fry after Kentucky Lake was formed. The goal of this regional favorite? Making sure every guest goes home well fed," the Henry County Tourism Authority says.

"For those who did not grow up around the delicacy of catfish, a platter served in the “Fish Tent” might seem overwhelming. The generous portions include farm-raised catfish, hushpuppies, coleslaw, and beans piled high.

"The week-long festival is host to concerts, a carnival, grand parade, rodeo, and catfish races. Make sure to check our event schedule for a full list of event details and locations."

"Volunteers prepared and served over 12,500 pounds of catfish and all the trimmings during the World's Biggest Fish Fry that was held on Sunday, April 23 - Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Paris, Tennessee. The all-you-can-eat meals were available in the "Fish Tent" from Wednesday - Friday," the Jackson Sun says.

"The week consisted of parades, a carnival, rodeos, catfish races, dances, arts and crafts, and more. Pageants are held in February to select young ladies to be featured in the parades and during the week long celebration.

"Large crowds enjoyed the over 12,500 pounds of catfish and all the trimmings that were prepared and served by volunteers during the World's Biggest Fish Fry that was held on Sunday, April 23 - Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Paris, Tennessee."