CRBI Catfish Kissin’ and Fish Fry set for Nov. 10
Whiskers, fins and filets will fly Nov. 10 during the Coosa River Basin Initiative’s 17th annual Fish Fry and Catfish Kissin’ Contest.
CRBI’s Fish Fry and Catfish Kissin’ Contest will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Rome First United Methodist Church. Tickets for the fish fry meal are $10 each or $7 for small fries and include catfish fillets, hushpuppies, coleslaw and cheese grits.
This year’s edition of the Fish Fry will feature live music from the Barbaric Yawps and a silent auction to support CRBI river protection projects. Live music and the silent auction will take place beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Eleven locals are now vying for the opportunity to kiss a Coosa River catfish in the Catfish Kissin’ Contest. The top three fundraisers kiss the fish, and the contestant that raises the least (the bottom feeder) also must kiss the fish.
Berry biology professor John Graham currently leads with $210 raised. Erica Simpson, communications professor at Georgia Highlands College, is in second with $150, and graphic artist and Knitterati founder, Melissa Rutledge is in third with $104.
Others vying for the chance to meet whiskers with a live Coosa River catfish include Andy Lester, bartender at River Dog Outpost; Kristy Agan, personal trainer and owner of KA Athletics; James Lossick, owner of Cedar Creek Park RV & Outdoor Center in Cave Spring; Brad Reeder, assistant vice president for finance at Berry; Trent Prault, Harbin Clinic vascular surgeon and Rome City Brewing Co. brewmaster; Thunder Pinard, a local Navajo and restaurant entertainer; Austen Earp, musician and musical producer; and Allison Terry, hair stylist at Wiyanna’s Salon.
Supporters can make donations at coosa.org/fish-fry. Fish Fry tickets may also be purchased at that website and at the following locations: Kroger, Lavender Mountain Hardware, Cedar Creek Park in Cave Spring and CRBI’s office at 5 Broad St.
The catfish smooching will take place at 1:30 p.m. during the fry. Also, at the event, CRBI will announce the winner of a new kayak in the Cedar Creek Park RV and Outdoor Center raffle. Tickets are available at CRBI and will be sold at the Fish Fry.
For more information contact Jesse DemonbreunChapman at 706-232-2724 or email at fishfry@coosa.org.