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Thousands Attend 22nd Annual Catfish Festival
The smell of carnival cooking and the sounds of gospel and country music filled downtown Winnsboro Saturday for the 22nd Annual Catfish Festival as thousands strolled the streets for the daylong event.
Festival director Paul Price said from gate admissions they estimate well over 15,000 attended.
"We are very pleased with the turnout," Price said. "It's a great event for the community and puts us in positive light."
Hwy. 15 was barricaded for several blocks for the more than 60 vehicles in the antique car show, which included the cultural icon, the Oscar Myer Weiner-mobile.
Vendors offered unusual selections like picture frames decorated with old watch parts and more traditional merchandise like sunglasses and caps.
The food court in the parking lot behind the Princess Theatre served the entrée of honor, fried catfish, along with festival favorites funnel cakes and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
"I know the churches did very well on their fried fish booths," Price said.
Temple Baptist Church, Winnsboro First Baptist Church and Winnsboro United Methodist Church were the three fish vendors. Baskin Baptist Church hosted the children's' play area, which was a tremendous hit with the youngsters.
Mayor Jack Hammons said every year the festival has more activities and the attendance grows – facts that he said demonstrate the strengths of the community.
"I still find it hard to believe that it keeps getting better and better," Hammon said. "This proves the kind of people we have here. The volunteers, police and city workers, everyone comes together to make this a success."
The first official North Louisiana Fiddling Contest was dedicated to the late Pete McIntyre, who won the original fiddling contest held at the festival nearly 20 years ago.
Three contestants vied for the title, 8-year-old Joanna Calhoun of West Monroe, Mike Stroud of Sicily Island and Hallie Yarbrough of Bastrop. Yarbrough took first place honors, with Calhoun coming in second and Stroud third.
The Christian rock band 33Miles and its lead singer, Jason Barton, a native of Gilbert, rocked the gospel tent in the early afternoon.
"We came all the way from Nashville, Tenn., but I call this place home. Franklin Parish is home to me," he said.
The headliner act, Doug Kershaw, was delayed for almost an hour because of equipment problems. To his fans surrounding the main stage near the gazebo it was worth the wait when he fiddled and sang old favorites and offered the crowd a taste of Cajun music.
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