For another year, area residents will have a choice of festivals to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend.
Shoals and Washington are having their annual festivals starting today. At Eastside Park, the rides will start at 5 p.m. and last until 10 p.m.
Armbands for unlimited rides are $16 and individual rides are about $2.
Also on the main stage at the park, entertainment is slated from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Today, WAMW 107.9 FM will have a live remote. Thursday, the Sun Kings will appear and on Friday, local band American Pie will play.
On Saturday, the Fourth, rides and entertainment will start at 3 p.m. The band Starbound will play from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., Fonda and the Country Road Band will be on the main stage and at 8:15 p.m., Terry Lee and the Rock-a-Boogie band will take the stage.
According to Parks Superintendent Dan Neely, the fireworks celebration will take place around 10 p.m., when the Lee band finishes and the Star-Spangled Banner is played.
Shoals
The 24th annual Catfish Festival runs July 2 through the Fourth in Shoals. Also known as “Gills and Thrills,” the festival takes place along the White River near the downtown area.
Some new events added this year are a cornhole tournament, a motorcycle show and ride and a catfish bicycle ride, according to this year’s festival chairman, Dan Steiner.
Kicking off at 6 p.m. with the posting of the colors by the American Legion Post No. 61, the festival’s Thursday night activities also include the MARCO Singers and contests for Little Miss, Pre-Teen, Junior Miss, Little Firecrackers and the Catfish Festival Queen. At 8:30 p.m. the Martin County Idol Contest begins.
Friday’s activities include various sporting events, such as girls high school quad volleyball, flag football and softball. The catfish fishing contest runs from 4 to 9 p.m. off the main bridge and at 6 p.m. there’s a catfish cooking contest. Also at 6 is a corn-shelling contest. The Battle of the Bands cranks it up at 7 p.m. in front of the courthouse with acts “Limited Slip,” “Rusted River,” “That One Band” and “Old School.”
Saturday starts with breakfast burritos prepared by Psi Otes, a national philanthropic organization based in the Midwest, from 8 to 10 a.m. in front of the courthouse. The catfish fishing contest resumes from 7 a.m. to noon. The 5K Catfish Walk starts at 7:30 a.m. while the 5K Catfish Run starts at 8 a.m. Both 5Ks start at the ball park. More sporting events continue Saturday with a men’s basketball tournament at 8 a.m. and a volleyball tournament at 10 a.m.
The Catfish Festival Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. At 1 p.m. several events start, including the Catfish Garden Tractor Pull-Off, the WBDC 100.9 FM Cornhole Tournament of Champions, a motorcycle show and horseshoe pitch.
At 2 p.m. “The Big Catfish” contest awards the biggest catfish caught. Steiner said the winners commonly range from 30 to 50 pounds.
Two baby contests are held Saturday, 0 to 12 months at 2 p.m. and 13-24 months at 3 p.m., with both at the Shoals Christian Church Resource Center. Games for kids will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday in front of the recycling center.
The festival is capped off with the Great Catfish Festival Fireworks Display at 10 p.m. Saturday night.
Continuing events throughout the festival include a flea market on Main Street and the museum at the old courthouse. The motorcycle ride and catfish bicycle ride are at 9:30 Sunday morning.
Steiner said the festival usually draws between 2,000 and 3,000 people over the holiday weekend.
With no admission fee, the festival is a nice family event close to home, he said.
“We enjoy having everyone,” he said. “The hospitality is great.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
A young boy watches as a decorated tractor makes its way down the parade route in the 2007 Catfish Festival Parade. Events are planned around the area for the Fourth of July holiday---File Photo By Mike Myers.
Discussion
4th of July Fun
- Local News
-
-
Seidel crowned WC's homecoming queen
Madison Seidel, daughter of Jane and Richard Seidel of Washington, was crowned 2012 Washington Catholic Homecoming Queen at the Birdcage on Saturday.
-
Car becomes stuck on railroad tracks; driver cited
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Schnitzelbank has No. 1 sandwich in Indiana
Indianapolis had a great time hosting the Super Bowl and although most of the attention appeared to be focused on all things Brady, Manning and Manning (sounds like a law firm), however, we know the star that shined the brightest was the Indiana Super 46 sandwich contest.
-
Messmer in Washington to discuss current legislation
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
One bill of local interest that has passed through the House is HB 1149, the smoking ban. It would prohibit smoking in public places, enclosed places of employment and within 12 feet of a public entrance to those places. It also would prohibit smoking in certain state vehicles if signed into law. -
Messmer hears concerns
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
-
Car finds railroad tracks
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Pierce named B-R Homecoming Queen
Rebekah Pierce, daughter of Russell and Beth Pierce of Washington, was crowned 2012 Homecoming Queen at Barr-Reeve High School on Friday.
-
ND crowns Steffey, McAtee
Anthony Steffey, son of Jim and Bridgette Steffey, and Shelby McAtee, daughter of Ron and Lynn Cox, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at North Daviess High School on Friday.
-
Car causes garage fire on Edwardsport Road
A car caught fire at the home belonging to Robert Wichman at 5295N 100W.
-
Washington native on short list for Indiana Supreme Court
Washington native the Honorable Maria D. Granger is one of 15 under consideration to fill a vacancy on the Indiana Supreme Court.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
