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Catfish ‘Cook-Off’ Winners Announced

The event serves as the official kickoff of festival activities leading up to the 26th annual event scheduled for Saturday, April 14th.

Monica, who along with her daughter Desrael, served up yet another award-winning dish named Catfish Alexander. Monica, who works for the Franklin Parish School Board, has won the event multiple times since its inception eight years ago.

This year’s runner-up dish was Pam’s Catfish Supreme, prepared by Pam Mason and sponsored by Franklin Medical Center. Pam serves as the head of the dietary department at FMC.

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Thousands expected for 26th annual Catfish Festival on April 14th

Thousands are expected for the 26th annual Franklin Parish Catfish Festival scheduled for Saturday, April 14 in historic downtown Winnsboro.

“We’re looking forward to another great event,” said festival director Paul Price, Jr. “The festival board has been working hard to put together yet another great festival with something for everyone attending.”

“The festival has put Winnsboro and Franklin Parish on the map, and has grown tremendously from its beginnings on the elementary school campus,” Price said.  “It’s now known as the largest one-day festival in Louisiana.”

Three music stages will be in full operation throughout the day at Patriot Square and next to the Council on Aging building, along with another stage on the loading dock behind the Old Post Office Museum.

Among the artists appearing this year is a return engagement by Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, which last year won their first Grammy in the Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album category for their album “Zydeco Junkie.”

“Like last year, Chubby and his band will bring a unique energy level to this year’s festival,” said Nathan Roberts, who handles the entertainment schedule for the festival. “We are very excited to have them with us again this year.”

Winnsboro Mayor Jackie Johnson will offer welcome remarks at the Old Glory Stage at 9:50 a.m. prior to Carrier’s performance that starts at 10 a.m.

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