32nd Annual

World Catfish Festival

Belzoni, Mississippi

Saturday

April 14, 2007

1-800-408-4838

The Humphreys County Catfish story is a saga of Southern enterprise, ingenuity, determination, dedication and just plain down-home good neighborliness. All of these ingredients — plus inherent agricultural know-how— have figured in the phenomenal progress that has been made in the county since the mid-1960’s when catfish was introduced as a new cash crop.

By 1976, the Farm raised Catfish industry was having such a positive impact on the local economy of Humphreys County Mississippi that community leaders began looking for a way to pay tribute to the industry. As a part of the City of Belzoni Bicentennial Celebration, the first festival, The Bicentennial Catfish Festival, was held on Thursday, April 7, 1976 on the lawn of the Humphreys County Court House. All of the activities were located on the grounds of the Court House including eating contest, queen contest, children’s play, musical entertainment, arts and craft show, as well as, plenty of catfish to eat. About 3,000 people attended the first festival, and it has grown to more than 20,000 attending each year. The festival now encompasses the whole downtown area, including four streets for the arts and craft show, and entertainment scattered around the area. Visitors are attracted from not only Mississippi and around the U.S. but from foreign countries as well.

This year enjoy the Colgate Country Music Showdown — America’s Largest Talent Showcase. Garth Brooks, Leanne Rimes, Martina McBride and Tim McGraw are a few of the country music stars that got their start on this show. Check out the website at www.countryshowdown.com

In 1976 U.S. production totaled 55,000 acres, with Mississippi producing 27,000 of that amount and Humphreys County leading any other county in the U.S. with 6,000 acres. This led to Governor Cliff Finch proclaiming Humphreys County as the “Catfish Capital of the World,” a title that Humphreys County still holds. Today the county has over 30,000 acres under water, a growth without parallel.

Due in part to its reputation as a family oriented event, the World Catfish Festival has received several awards including Top 100 Events in North America and TOP 20 Events of the Southeast. The Annual World Catfish Festival will take place on Saturday, April 1, 2006. Make plans now to join them for a great day of food, fun, and more in Belzoni, Mississippi.

For more information on the World Catfish Festival, please call: 1-800-408-4838 or E-mail: catfish@belzonicable.com