L’Observateur / July 8, 1998

DES ALLEMANDS – Catfish cooking, catfish eating and catfish appreciation are the cornerstones of the 24th annual Louisiana Catfish Festival, to be celebrated this weekend.

The Rev. William O’Donnell, pastor of St. Gertrude Catholic Church, anddeacon Landry Matherne accepted a plaque Monday from the St. CharlesParish Council in recognition of “The Catfish Capital of the Universe.”The festival, on the grounds of St. Gertrude’s, Louisiana Highway 631, DesAllemands, is free and open to the public.

Catfish Queen Monica Adams, daughter of Cynthia Adams of New Sarpy, will greet festivalgoers.

Events include a road race, canning and preserving contest, live music and plenty of food, including seafood gumbo, jambalaya, sauce piquant, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, nachos, homemade cake and candy and, of course, catfish platters, boats and poboys.

A special treat for children at the festival will be the Royal Marionettes from New Orleans, who will present puppet shows three times each day.

On Saturday, the festival kicks off at 7 a.m. with the one-mile fun run,followed by the 5-K St. Charles Parish Championship race.At 10 a.m. the festival itself opens with the blessing of the booths. Thecanning contest gets under way, and the catfish cooking contest starts at 11 a.m.Music from The Breeze is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed byRuff-N-Ready from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.On Sunday, 10 a.m. Mass starts the events, with the festival opening at 11a.m. with the blessing of the booths. The catfish eating contest starts at 1p.m.Music is offered from noon to 4 p.m. by the Cajun Fiddler Band,accompanied by Cajun dancers. Seabrook takes the stage from 4:30 p.m. to8:30 p.m.

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