TWICE A year, the charming community of Belvidere comes together for an event that has become a staple on the local calendar — the biannual Belvidere Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry. This special event brings delicious food and live music to the community and displays the persistent efforts of volunteers who work behind the scenes. During this year’s events, the community paid special tribute to the late Tim Yannayon, the founder of the fish fry, and to the outstanding volunteers who continue to make the event possible.
According to Andy Knapper, the fire department’s treasurer, the volunteer fire department dates back to 1955, possibly making it the oldest in the county. The biannual fish fry began 20 years ago. A volunteer fire department inspired it in Finger, Tennessee, and it has become a cherished event attracting people from outside of Franklin County.
The initial success of the fish fry made it clear that the community demanded more, and the fire department was more than happy to deliver. The fire hall’s location, adjacent to the old Belvidere School turned community center, provides the perfect setting for this gathering. With ample space, the community center accommodates tables, a stage for live music, and activities for children, making it a fun affair for everyone.
Last year’s fish fry saw over 1,400 attendees, and the event is growing in popularity. Ed Burns, the fish fry chairman, shared that despite some changes, the essence of the event remained consistent. Notably, for the first time in over 20 years, a new couple, Ben and Orpha Horst, took over the task of cutting fish, which Simon Beachy had handled since day one of the event.
“He went through and inspected every piece of fish and then split it down the lateral line so that the smaller fish would fry a lot better. These are 4 to 6-ounce fillets, totaling approximately 2,400 fillets for the 750 pounds of fish fried at each event. The man has cut every piece for 20 years,” Burns recounted.
The true heroes of the Belvidere Fire Department’s fish fry are the volunteers, the very foundation on which it stands.
Knapper said, “The fish fry could not even come close to happening if it weren’t for the volunteers in the community. The fire department is just a small fraction of the event.”
Volunteering for the event involves a variety of tasks, from planning months in advance to executing on the day of the fry. This includes everything from coordinating with local bands to arranging for a refrigerated trailer, printing and mailing postcards to over 300 people, and sending emails to previous attendees. The volunteers are not limited to adults — around 20 students from the Interact Club at Huntland Schools also lend a hand. They help serve, fill cups with ice, manage garbage, and assist with takeout plates.
Preparations for the fish fry begin well in advance, with volunteers ordering supplies from the wholesale market for the fish and chicken tenders. Local merchants provide essential ingredients to transform the raw products into delicious entrees.
Other community members come forward to make delicious homemade pies, cakes, and desserts, which have quickly become the highlight of the event.
Yannayon’s family and several others who participated in the inaugural event in 2003 have kept the tradition alive. His legacy continues through the dedicated efforts of volunteers who have helped with the event since its beginning.
This year, the Belvidere Volunteer Fire Department honored Simon Beachy for his 20 years of invaluable service in preparing each fillet for the fish fryer.
“Simon is just one of many integral volunteers so critical to the success of the Belvidere Volunteer Fire Department’s fish fry. While Simon’s presence at the fish prepping table will be missed, his expertise will continue in true Belvidere volunteer fashion.” Burns shared.
The Belvidere Volunteer Fire Department’s fish fry maintains its tradition of being held on the last Saturday of April and October due to its great volunteers! As always, the event featured farm-raised Mississippi catfish, generously donated chickens from Tyson Foods, and a lively lineup of local bands playing for free. The organizers are already hard at work, coordinating with volunteers and ensuring all preparations are in place for next year’s celebrations.
The Belvidere Fire Department’s fish fry is ultimately a celebration of community, tradition, and the beauty of volunteerism, and will continue to build on the legacy that makes this event so special.
If you find yourself in beloved Franklin County on the last Saturday in April or October from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., stop by and experience the Southern hospitality of the Belvidere community. You might leave with a satisfied appetite and a heart full of special memories and new friendships that last long after the meal. GN
