Reception, Coon Supper set

The 12th annual Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Berry Farm Shop in Gillett.

The 80th Gillett Coon Supper will follow at the Gillett School Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13, according to a news release.

“The Coon Supper has been a long-standing tradition in Gillett for 80 years,” said Mitch Berry. “We continue to be proud for the Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception to be associated with such a legacy.”

“Over the past 11 years we have been able to raise $183,000 for public service related scholarships at Arkansas State University. My dad was a dedicated public servant and knew the importance of investing in the next generation,” said Berry. “We are looking forward to honoring him at this year’s event.”

The Marion and Carolyn Berry Scholarship is awarded to qualifying Arkansas State University students who show an interest in public policy and public service. The 2023 scholarship recipients were Hannah Johns, Hannah Kimmer, NelleMae Rohrer, and Lindsay Lancaster. They were each awarded a $500 scholarship and interned in Congressman Rick Crawford’s office.

The Gillett Coon Supper is hosted by the Gillett Farmers and Businessman’s Club and has long been a required stop on the Arkansas political circuit. Politicians are tested on their political acumen by their wiliness to eat the smoked raccoon.

Tickets are $50 each to the pre-supper reception. Sponsorships are available to be a Berry Good Partner for $5,000, a Berry Good Supporter for $2,500, a Berry Good Host for $1,000 and a Berry Good Friend for $500.

Tickets to the Coon Supper may be purchased by contacting Larry Bauer at (870) 830-4002.

The founding hosts of the event are Campbell Ward, JPJ Consulting, Mitch Berry, Woosley Gaming Advisors, and Wright Lindsey Jennings.

Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. For more information about becoming a sponsor, contact Becky Barnes Campbell at (501) 912-7560 or Gabe Holmstrom at (479) 409-3329.