Annual ‘Pre-Coon Supper Reception’ slated on Jan. 8

The 10th annual “Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception” will be held on Jan. 8 at the Berry Farm shop in Gillett. Marion Berry was the First District Congressman from 1997-2011.

“The Coon Supper has been a long-standing tradition in Gillett for over 75 years,” said Mitch Berry, son of the former congressman. “We are proud for the Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception to be associated with such a legacy. In the past 9 years, we have been able to raise tens of thousands of dollars for scholarships for Arkansas State University and we value the opportunity to invest in a group of such deserving students.”

The Marion and Carolyn Berry Scholarship is awarded to a qualifying Arkansas State University student who shows an interest in public policy and public service. The most recent scholarship recipient was Matthew Blevins of Bradford. Blevins interned in U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford’s Jonesboro office during the spring of 2020 and graduated the following December with an Associate of Science degree.

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

The pre-supper reception starts at 3:30 p.m. at the Berry farm shop. Tickets are $40 each. Sponsorships are available to be a Berry Good Host for $1,000 and a Berry Good Friend for $500. The 78th 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 Campbell Ward, JPJ Consulting, Mitch Berry, Woosley Gaming Advisors, and Wright Lindsey Jennings.

All tickets will be available for purchase at the door. For more information about becoming a sponsor, please contact Becky Barnes Campbell at 501-912-7560 or Gabe Holmstrom at 479-409-3329. The event page can be found here.