Coon Supper, Berry Pre-Coon reception set for Saturday
by January 7, 2016 6:10 pm 225 views
It is a tradition in Arkansas politics that draws candidates from Bentonville to Blytheville and from Texarkana to Trumann, with the money raised helping students further their education.
The 73rd annual Gillett Coon Supper will be Saturday night (Jan. 9) at the Gillett auditorium, Gabe Holmstrom, one of the organizers for the pre-supper event said Thursday.
Before the supper, the fourth annual Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception will be held at the Berry Farm Shop in Gillett.
“We are proud to build a tradition that enables the continued education of our young people,” said Mitch Berry, son of former First District Congressman and Gillett native Marion Berry. “We appreciate the constant support of our attendees and volunteers who help us add an important component to the fun and friendship of the event.”
“Gillett holds a special place in our hearts and we always look forward to sharing that with people from across the state and nation. My parents continue to be amazed at the amount of people who travel here for this experience,” said Berry.
The Marion and Carolyn Berry Scholarship will be awarded to a qualifying Arkansas State University student who shows an interest in public policy and public service. Vonita Mitchell of North Little Rock became the first recipient of the scholarship last year.
Holmstrom, one of the organizers for the pre-event, said the event this year will draw two of the state’s U.S. Senate candidates – Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Democrat Conner Eldridge. In addition, members of the state’s congressional delegation, state lawmakers and state officials will attend the event.
Holmstrom said people in the Arkansas County town take pride in hosting both events.
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. Former President Bill Clinton attended the event every year he served as governor, and the event helped to launch former Gov. Mike Beebe’s political career. The late Sen. Dale Bumpers and Clinton once crashed an airplane on an icy runway landing to attend the Coon Supper.
Proceeds from the supper also go toward funding scholarships for students, Holmstrom said.
The pre-supper reception starts at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 9) at the Berry farm shop. Tickets are $30 each. Sponsorships are available to be a Berry Good Host for $1,000 and Berry Good Friends for $500.
All tickets will be available for purchase at the door. For more information about becoming a sponsor, please contact Ben Noble at 501-772-9473 or Gabe Holmstrom at 479-409-3329.
The 73rd Gillett Coon Supper will follow at the Gillett School Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to the Coon Supper may be purchased by contacting Larry Bauer at 870-830-4002.
The founding hosts of the event are Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods, Mitch Berry, Noble Strategies, and Wright Lindsey & Jennings, LLC.