Town of Cooleemee

(L to R) The star cooking crew in 2004: Mike Dwiggins, Jeff Ward, Rick Allred, Ron Bivins, Joe Jordan, Ron Webb, Ronnie Shoaf, Earl Shoaf, and Steve Ridenhour. 

After a 10-year absence, a beloved Cooleemee tradition is making its return.

The RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls Catfish Fry is back, bringing together good food, old friends and a chance to spend the day at one of the area’s most treasured outdoor destinations — better known to generations of locals simply as “The Bullhole.”

The Catfish Fry will be held Saturday, October 17, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Margaret Woodson Picnic Shelter on the Rowan County side of RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls. Guests can enjoy a plate of golden-fried catfish with fries, slaw, hush puppies, dessert, and a drink for $15.

For longtime RiverPark volunteer and board member Ron Bivins, bringing back the Catfish Fry has been a long time coming. Over the years, he said, people have repeatedly asked when the popular fundraiser would return.

This year, with the enthusiastic support of the RiverPark Board, the timing finally seemed right to revive the tradition and bring the community together once again for the park.

Bringing Back an Old Cooleemee Tradition

According to Bivins, the last traditional Catfish Fry was held in 2016, making this year’s event the first in a decade. But the fundraiser dates back to 1999, when Ricky “Doober” Glass hosted the first fish fry in the parking lot of the old Cooleemee Mill. Sadly, Glass passed away in 2000. 

The original fundraiser grew out of the work of the late Lynn and Jim Rumley, Julia Howard, Ken Sales, Jimmy Decess, Tony Steele, and Joan Carter, whose efforts through the Cooleemee Historical Association helped preserve the community’s history and supported the development of RiverPark.

The early cooking crew included Bivins, Glass, Joe Jordan, and the O’Neal family. Ron Webb and Ron Shoaf later joined Bivins when the event moved to the park in 2002. For a time, the cooking crew became known affectionately as the “Three Rons.” Other long-time cooks include Mike Dwiggins, Ricky Allred, Jeff Ward, Steve Ridenhour,  Clay West, Walter Ferrell, and Earl Shoaf.

But Bivins points out that the Catfish Fry quickly became a community effort, with many volunteers stepping in over the years to cook, serve, and keep the tradition going.

This year, many familiar faces are returning, joined by additional volunteers and members of the Cooleemee Historical Association.

From a Few Cases of Fish to a Community Event

As the Catfish Fry grew, so did the amount of fish needed to feed the crowds. Bivins remembers starting with around 200 attendees, then 360, 420, and finally 500.

After a decade away, the RiverPark Board has a new challenge: figuring out just how many people will come back. “We don’t know if we’re gonna get 200 people or 500 people,” Bivins said.

That’s why advance ticket purchases are especially important this year. Presales allow the board to better estimate how much fish to purchase and prepare, while avoiding both food waste and the possibility of running out.

Only a limited number of tickets may be available at the event, so those planning to attend are encouraged to purchase tickets now. 

A Fundraiser That Helps Keep RiverPark Going

From the beginning, the Catfish Fry has been a fundraiser for RiverPark.

Years ago, Bivins said the Fish Fry and the annual duck race were the primary ways the board raised money to help maintain the property.

RiverPark encompasses approximately 90 acres spanning Davie and Rowan counties along the South Yadkin River. The park is owned by the Town of Cooleemee and managed by the volunteer board, whose members oversee the work required to operate, maintain, and continue improving the park.

That job has grown significantly as RiverPark has grown. RiverPark now employs as many as 15 seasonal workers during the busy summer months.

The park itself has also changed dramatically over the years.

What was once an informal local swimming and fishing spot has become a family destination with staff, a gatehouse, and improved access. Amenities include picnic shelters, swimming and fishing areas, opportunities for paddling, and kayak/canoe portage that provides access to the South Yadkin River.

Many of those improvements have been made possible through grants and private donations. RiverPark also receives some financial support from Davie County Tourism, Rowan County, and the Town of Cooleemee.

But operating a park that draws thousands of visitors takes ongoing resources. Gate fees play an important role in keeping RiverPark safe, clean, and well-maintained, while fundraisers such as the Catfish Fry provide additional support for the park and its needs.

Bivins is particularly proud that the transformation hasn’t gone unnoticed. RiverPark has been featured in Our State Magazine, Salisbury Magazine, and other local publications, helping introduce the park and its distinctive setting along the South Yadkin River to people beyond the immediate community.

From a Bad Reputation to a Family Park

What RiverPark visitors see today is a far cry from the Bullhole of several years ago.

Bivins remembers a time when the area fell into disrepair and developed a reputation that wasn’t always positive. When efforts to clean up and improve the property began about 25 years ago, he had a simple goal: make the Bullhole better, cleaner and safer.

That meant more than just cleaning up the grounds. Over time, the work of volunteers and community leaders helped change both the park itself and the way people viewed it.

Today, families come from across the region to swim, fish, paddle, picnic and spend a day along the river.

For Bivins, seeing that transformation is particularly meaningful because the Bullhole has been part of his life since childhood.

“There’s a Lot of Firsts That Happened at the Bullhole”

Bivins grew up in Cooleemee and spent much of his childhood at the Bullhole. He learned to swim and fish there, went on early camping trips, and remembers friends knocking on his bedroom window in the morning so they could head to the river and fish until lunchtime.

“There’s a lot of firsts that happened at the Bullhole,” he said with a laugh.

His father was involved with one of the early committees working to turn the area into RiverPark. He  remembers his father giving him some straightforward instructions after years of young people exploring the property:

“Now that you tore it all up, you gotta clean it up.”

Bivins took those words to heart.

Over the years, he and countless other volunteers have worked to transform the area into the family-friendly destination it is today.

Come See What’s New at the Bullhole

The return of the Catfish Fry also gives longtime residents a reason to come back and see how much RiverPark has changed.

“If you haven’t been there in a long time, come down and see the improvements at the park,” Bivins said. “The traditional fish fry is back, and come and see and enjoy the park.”

Visitors will also enjoy music from DJ Brent Wall while reconnecting with neighbors and spending time along the river.

For those who grew up swimming, fishing and exploring at the Bullhole, the day offers a chance to revisit a place filled with memories.

For those who have never been, it’s an opportunity to discover why this spot on the South Yadkin River has meant so much to generations of Cooleemee families.

There’s one more very good reason to come back:

The catfish is frying again.

Community Support Helps Bring the Fish Fry Back

The return of the Catfish Fry is also being made possible through strong community support. Riverwoods Outdoors, Cooleemee Heritage True Value Hardware,  Cooleemee Civitan Club, Emergency Music Service, Mocksville Concrete Company, Davie Discount Drugs, and Hello Gorgeous Salon are serving as event sponsors, while the Town of Cooleemee is partnering with RiverPark to help bring the tradition back. The event has also received support through a Davie County Tourism grant, helping promote the Catfish Fry and RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls to visitors throughout the region.

RiverPark Board members are grateful to the sponsors, partners, volunteers, and community members whose support has made the return of this longtime tradition possible.

Get Your Tickets Early

Don’t forget, advance ticket purchases are strongly encouraged. Presales help the board know how much fish to prepare, and only a limited number of plates may be available for purchase on the day of the event.

RiverPark Board members are out in the community selling tickets. 

Advance tickets are also available at:

• RiverPark Gate House
• Cooleemee Town Hall
• Davie County Chamber of Commerce
• Davie Discount Drugs
• Cooleemee Heritage True Value Hardware

You can also purchase tickets online at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/catfish-fry-fundraiser. 

Proceeds from the Catfish Fry support the continued operation and maintenance of RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls, helping keep the Bullhole clean, safe, and available for families and visitors for years to come.

Questions? 

If you have questions about this event, please call the Davie Chamber at (336) 751-3304. Follow RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls for the latest updates. 

RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls Catfish Fry
Saturday, October 17 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Margaret Woodson Picnic Shelter — Rowan County side of RiverPark
$15 per plate