The 11th annual “Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception” will be held on January 14th at the Berry Farm Shop in Gillett.
 
“The Coon Supper has been a long-standing tradition in Gillett for over 75 years,” said Mitch Berry. “We continue to be proud for the Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception to be associated with such a legacy.”
 
“Over the past 10 years we have been able to raise a significant amount of money for scholarships for Arkansas State University and we value the opportunity to invest in this group of deserving students, our next generation of public servants,” said Berry.
 
The Marion and Carolyn Berry Scholarship is awarded to qualifying Arkansas State University students who show an interest in public policy and public service. The most recent scholarship recipients are Magon James, Abby Moore and Olivia Gibson.  Magon interned in Congressman Rick Crawford’s Jonesboro in the fall of 2022.  Abby and Olivia interned in Congressman Rick Crawford’s Jonesboro office during the spring  of 2022.  Rachel Davis also received a scholarship to intern in Senator John Boozman’s Jonesboro office in the spring of 2022.  
 
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. Politicians are tested on their political acumen by their wiliness to eat the smoked raccoon.
 
The pre-supper reception starts at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Berry farm shop.  Tickets are $40 each.  Sponsorships are available to be a Berry Good Partner for $5,000, a Berry Good Supporter for $2,500, a Berry Good Host for $1,000 and a Berry Good Friend for $500.  The 79th 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.