Soon it will be time for scarecrows, pumpkins and ...
catfish? The annual Scarecrow Contest at Huntington’s Centennial Park is open for entries until Sept. 15, and on Oct. 5, the Catfish Festival will welcome folks for the tasty dish and more.
Sponsored by the Huntington Business Owners Association, entry forms for the Scarecrow Contest are available at Jerry’s Tire Shop in Huntington. Forms and scarecrows must be received by the Sept. 15 deadline, according to Monica Ivy, vice president of the Huntington Business Owners Association.
The scarecrows are placed along the sidewalks of Centennial Park, and it’s free to enter. “The kids always enjoy walking through the park and taking pictures with all the unique scarecrows that are on display," Ivy said. "It gives the community something fun to do.
She added that it’s also a good team-building activity. Plus, winners receive cash awards: first place, $200; second place, $100; and third place, $50. Winners will be announced at the Catfish Festival.
This is the tenth year for the Huntington Business Owners’ Catfish Festival. It's held on the first Saturday in October each year. This year's festival will be from 9 a.
m. to 4 p.m.
Oct. 5 in Centennial Park. “There will be lots of delicious catfish plates for purchase," Ivy said.
"Tyson and Tonya Driver from 58 Junction will be frying up all the catfish you can eat." The park will be filled with vendors, including food trucks and a fishing pond for kids, she added. Ivy said the Huntington Historical Society will have the Dog-Trot History Museum open during the Catfish Festival.
There will be multiple old trains on display. One case will have the Texas & New Orleans and Southern Pacific Trains, while the other has the Cotton Belt and Shreveport, Houston & Gulf. There will also be a train table with two trains running through towns and the countryside.
There will be several raffles, including a ladies’ package of a concealed handgun purse and limited-edition Glock 9mm Rose Pistol and another raffle that includes a Burris Scope, Ammo, Case and Ruger American 350 Legend. Ivy said last year’s festival brought more than 5,000 visitors to the park. It also includes live music to entertain festival-goers.
“This is a wonderful event that gives back to the community," she said. "The funds are used for high school scholarships each year. We have also sponsored a new sign for the McMullen Library, as well as the kids summer reading program.
We've also purchased cameras for our police department and constable, added sidewalks to Centennial Park and made improvements in various places." There are a few new things added to this year’s Catfish Festival: ■ Huntington's Ms. Catfish Festival Pageant — This will be a non-glamour, fun-filled catfish-themed pageant, highlighting girls aged newborn to 18 yrs old, showing off the natural beauty, character, conduct and convictions reflected throughout many wonderful young ladies living in Angelina County who enjoy the great outdoors.
More information, including entry forms, can be found at the Event Facebook Page "1st Annual Ms. Catfish Festival Pageant" ■ Catfish Festival Car Show — The first Catfish Festival Car Show is sponsored by the Huntington Business Owners Association and the Ganson Graphix Co. Trophies will be presented for: Best in Show, Best Truck, Best Car, Best Motorcycle, Best Jeep, Best Paint and Best Motor.
Car entry fee is $15, with proceeds going back into the Huntington community. Show up at 9 a.m.
to reserve a spot. An event page is located on Facebook at "2024-Catfish Festival Car Show" ■ Catfish fishing tournament — Ivy said details have not yet been determined for this event, but check the Annual Huntington Catfish Festival Facebook page for information to be posted..
