At the city limits of the Southeast Arkansas town of Gillett in Arkansas County, there is a sign that reads, “Welcome to Gillett: Home of Friendly People & The Coon Supper.” Every winter since the 1940s, the people of Gillett host hundreds of Arkansans to enjoy fellowship, kick off the upcoming political season, and eat raccoon, rice casserole, and other local favorites.
In fall of 2023, the Pryor Center began collecting Gillett Coon Supper oral histories and artifacts for the Traditions Project.
#1: Ticket to the 1994 Gillett Coon Supper
© Photo courtesy of Misty Nichols Fox
#2: Collection of commemorative cups from the Gillett Coon Supper
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#3: Pryor Center executive director, John C. Davis, conducts an audio interview for the Gillett Coon Supper Oral Hstory Project; Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2023
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
