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Big Catch Catfish Festival sure to be big fun
To the editor:
On behalf of the Osceola/South Mississippi County Chamber of Commerce, we wish to invite all area residents to the second annual Big Catch Catfish Festival, Saturday, Sept. 7, at Sans Souci Park on the Mississippi River south of Osceola. The event will feature a live music stage from 10 a.m. until sundown, a 100 percent payout catfish tournament, a kids fun zone, great food vendors and much more.
Country star Andy Griggs is this year's 6 p.m. headliner with two No. 1 hits, five top 5s, and four other top 10s to his credit. Rhythm and Blues legend Billy "Soul" Bonds takes the stage at 4:30 following performances by Blues songstress Joy at 3 p.m. and the Marty Ray Project at 1:30 p.m.
The Band Battle at Plum Run Bend, sponsored by Gibson Oil, kicks off at 10 a.m., a fun commemoration of one of only two Mississippi River gunboat battles during the Civil War, fought 152 years ago at the festival site. This year's contestants are the White Lightning Band from Osceola, Cash Town from Dyess and Lylat from Blytheville. Festival-goers will select this year's champion by ballot vote, with each ballot entered into a drawing for a $500 cash prize for the winning voter.
The Mighty Mississippi River Queen Pageant, sponsored by American Greetings, also kicks off at 10 a.m. at one of three riverfront pavilions recently constructed at the park. The catfish tournament begins at 6:30 a.m. with two-person teams competing for most weight of their biggest three fish, as well as single biggest fish.
The chamber launched the Big Catch Catfish Festival last year as a means to promote commerce and tourism, but also to provide county residents with a fun event for all ages to enhance our local quality of life. We also have been working hard to improve and develop historic Sans Souci Park into unique, attractive local amenity, a great place to have a picnic, go fishing, or just spend a lazy day by the River. Tickets for the Big Catch are $20 at the gate or at any of several ticket outlets or $15 if purchased online (www.arkansasbigcatch.com). Kids under 10 years old get in free. All revenue from the festival after covering costs will be invested into next year's event to make it bigger and better, growing the event over time. The Saturday after Labor Day is our regular festival date each year.
The Big Catch Catfish Festival is made possible through the generous financial support of over 40 sponsors, including our major sponsors, American Greetings, Gibson Oil, Temps Plus and the city of Osceola. The festival also is made possible by the efforts of so many outstanding Chamber volunteers who donate their time, energy and talents to plan, organize and bring this event to Mississippi County. The future of the festival, of course, depends upon local folks buying tickets and coming out to support the event.
Here is what Rock 103's Brian Jay had to say on his blog after coming to last year's Big Catch Catfish Festival: "All I can say is ... WHAT AN AWESOME PLACE! The park is located directly on the Mississippi River and has a boat ramp for direct access. The landscaping of the park features an elevated area that's perfect for a stage and dish shaped grounds that form a natural amphitheater with perfect acoustics. Add the perfect 77 degree weather that day and a nice cool breeze coming in off the river and things couldn't have been any better. In French, the term 'Sans Souci' means 'without care' or 'no worries' ... and that's exactly the vibe that I got from the place. A laid back, no worries kind of Saturday In The Park. Perfect. Add the food and drink vendors and activities for the kids, and you've got the perfect hometown atmosphere for the festival."
Please come and join us for a day of fun, food, and music by the River.