Catfish Festival kicks off July 7 at St. Gertrude Catholic Church

32nd annual festival in Des Allemands offers family fun, rides, music, food and

It’s time again for the La. Catfish Festival. The 32nd Annual event will begin on July 7 and the fun will continue through July 9 at St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Des Allemands. The La. Catfish Festival is one of the oldest festivals in the state of Louisiana. Organizers of the festival pride themselves on the dedication and devotion of all the parishioners who volunteer their time and energy to provide the people of Louisiana and St. Charles Parish with a fun filled family oriented weekend of events.

The festival is known for its mouth-watering catfish served in platters, po-boys, sauce piquante and boulettes. There will also be a booth for those festival goers with a sweet tooth and snow balls for the young and old at heart. All food is cooked by parishioners and has no outside vendors and will include catfish, seafood gumbo, jambalaya, soft-shell crab, shrimp, hotdogs, hamburgers, onion mums, Asian food, funnel cakes and much more.

Crafters will bring wonderful items for all to see and the festival will have its own Country Store. Among some of the unique attractions, there will be a large fish tank at the entrance of the festival which will display some of the largest catfish from Des Allemands. The festival will also raffle a handmade quilt donated by all the elderly ladies of St. Gertrude Church.

Along with delicious food and crafts, the festival is home to the annual catfish cook off as well as a catfish eating contest for all those with a big appetite.

In addition to the above mentioned activities, the festival will have rides, games, souvenirs and music guaranteed to keep everyone’s feet tapping and fingers snapping.

The festival will kick off on Friday, July 7 with the opening of the craft and food booths and musical entertainment by the Aaron Foret Band. On Saturday, July 8, the festival will host a 1 mile fun run, 5K St. Charles Parish Championship Race, catfish cooking contest, catfish eating contest and introduction of the festival new queens. Sunday, July 9, the festival will open at 11 a.m. with a blessing of the booths. Sunday’s music will be provided by Rodney Thibodeaux & Tout Les Soir and Warren Storm, Willie T, and Cypress Band.

St. Gertrude Catholic Church is located at 17292 Hwy. 631, Des Allemands. Admission and parking are free to the public. Festival hours are Friday, July 7, 5 p.m. till 11 p.m., Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m till 11 p.m., and Sunday, July 9, 11 a.m till 9 p.m. For more information contact 758-7542.