Grady fish fry stirs appetites, politicians

GRADY - On a surprisingly cool Thursday evening in August, U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor spoke with constituents under pecan trees heavy with nuts at an annual must-attend event for many politicians.

The Democrat called it “getting his marching orders” as he tucked scribbled notes into his pockets.

The 58th annual Grady Lions Club Fish Fry drew hundreds to the Hardin Farm outside the 523-person town south of Pine Bluff off U.S. 65. Attendees sat at long picnic tables wrapped in paper, eating fried catfish, hush puppies, fries, coleslaw and watermelon. Occasionally, they stopped to shake hands or talk to the politicians circulating through the crowd.

Aside from Pryor, several other politicians made the rounds. Republican candidate for governor Asa Hutchinson of Rogers balanced a chunk of watermelon in one hand as he greeted people. State auditor candidate Rep. Andrea Lea, R-Russellville, handed out campaign stickers; Rep. Johnny Key, R-Mountain Home, cracked jokes; and treasurer candidate Dennis Milligan mingled as people ate their catfish.

Pryor’s 2014 opponent, U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Dardanelle, is in Israel this week but said Wednesday that he plans to attend the fish fry next year.

Pryor, who is seeking a third term, said he’s attended the fish fry at least a dozen times.

“I try to make it every year I can,” Pryor said. “It’s a great event. You see the whole community roll out. It’s just part of Arkansas, and it’s a little bit part of Arkansas politics.”

U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Rogers agreed. He said he first attended during the 2010 campaign. The first term Republican attended this year even though he isn’t up for re-election until 2016.

“People are so nice, there’s so much good food to eat, good fellowship, and tonight the weather’s just perfect,” he said. “This is what America’s all about.”

Light bulbs strung between pecan trees flickered as a four-member band made up of Cummins Unit prisoners played “Old Time Rock and Roll” by Bob Seger.

Emmett Thomas, 76, and Arjetta Thomas, 72, both of Grady, ate the catfish but paused to chat with Pryor.

Emmett Thomas said that by August of next year, thepair will be busy campaigning for Pryor.

“We supported his father. We’re going to support him, too,” he said.

Pryor said events like the fish fry, the Hope Watermelon Festival held last Saturday and the Gillette Coon Supper in January still matter in Arkansas politics.

The race between Pryor and Cotton has drawn national attention as Republicans try to gain control of the U.S. Senate. The contest is expected to bring in millions of dollars from out-of-state interest groups hoping to sway voters.

But Arkansans expect more than 30-second TV commercials from their politicians, Pryor suggested.

“People in this state still want you to come to their town, shake their hand, look them in the eye, ask them for their vote,” he said. “Politics is very personal in Arkansas. I don’t think that personal touch will ever lose its effectiveness.”