WAYNETOWN — Montgomery County’s longest continuous festival will take place this week. The Waynetown Fish Fry and Carnival begins Thursday and runs through Saturday at the Rev. Guy Tremaine Park.
Long considered a homecoming for those associated with the western Montgomery County town, the fish fry will celebrate its 35th year since moving from the center of town to the park.
Local historians say the event is nearing its’ 100th anniversary but no records have been found stating when the event officially began. It is known the fish fry was associated with an annual horse race event when U.S. 136 was not paved and horses would race through the middle of town in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
Records indicate the fish fry continued during World War II and the recent global pandemic. As long as anyone can remember, and re-telling the stories of long-time residents who have passed, the fish fry was around when the WMA began in the late 1920’s.
The local community club, Waynetown Merchants Association, is the official organizing group. Proceeds from the event go to the WMA for community events and other projects. WMA helps sponsor all five town festivals and helps with other events such as Kids Night Out, Senior Citizen and Veterans Dinner and the Halloween Party.
“When we talk about the five festivals we have in town, the fish fry is the granddaddy of them all,” WMA president Sam Biddle said. “It takes a lot of coordinating and hard work, but we all feel it is something important to our community.”
This year it is estimated the town needs 107 volunteers to work in the kitchen area for three days. Biddle said volunteers are the reason the festival has lasted for long and still remains a showcase of the town.
“We could not do the fish fry without volunteers,” Biddle said. “Not only do we have workers in the kitchen, but we have people donating pies and salads. The fire department runs the Bingo tent. It truly is a big deal for our town and we take a lot of pride in it.”
Huesman Entertainment and Carnival will be on hand with rides and carnival food. Hours of operation for the carnival are 4:30-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon to 4:30 p.m. and 5-11 p.m. Saturday.
The fish fry will begin Thursday with serving from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The day’s proceeds go to the town’s Freedom Festival fireworks fund. The menu includes fish sandwiches, breaded chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, french fries, mozzarella sticks, baked beans, desserts and drinks.
Friday and Saturday’s menu consists of fish sandwiches, hot dogs, baked beans, salads, deserts and drinks.
The City Lites Band will be on the Freedom Stage from 6-9 p.m. Friday.
On Saturday, there will be parade at 1 p.m. The North Montgomery High School Marching Band will participate in the parade and present a short concert in the park at the conclusion of the parade. The annual baby contest will take place at 3 p.m. and the Boy Scouts Car Show will be from 3-6 p.m. The Logan Kirby Band will play from 6-9 p.m.
A variety of vendors will be on site each day beginning at 11 a.m.
