"8th ANNUAL CATFISH FESTIVAL 2007"
March 15-18, 2007

     The 8th Annual Washington Catfish Festival edition was our best ever. The weather was beautiful for all four days and we were able to get our first additional Thursday in. Last year was our attempt at adding a 4th day of the Festival was scratched when the weather didn't cooperate and it was rained out. This year we were able to have a $1 admission to enjoy the great blues and R&B music of BBC with Steve Adams and the August Heat Band. Of course rides were available for the kids & impeccable food and spirits could be found at various vendors on the grounds.
     To put on a 4 day event of this magnitude takes the efforts of many special people of whom volunteer their time and energy to put the best in Washington out there for all it's citizens and fellow neighbors in and out of the state to enjoy.. We applaud and thank them from the bottom of our hearts for making Washington's Annual Catfish Festival truly one of the best in the state each year. They are the true heroes of this event and without them, our Catfish Festival would not be what it is.

Buster and the Honorable Mayor Joseph A. Pitre

     The Washington Annual Catfish Festival features some of the best music found anywhere in Louisiana each year. This year 13 bands were featured. From the King of Zydeco with Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco band to the sweet R&B sounds of Cookie singing lead with the August Heat Band. The large crowds couldn't keep off the dance floor with the likes of Rockin' Dopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters, Geno Delafose & the French Rockin' Boogie, Travis Matt, Kenny & the Heartbreakers, Patrick Henry & the Liberation, BBC with Steve Adams, Hunter Hayes, The Same Ol' 2 Step with the brilliance of Guyland Leday, Big Mo & LA 31, the soulful Zydeco sounds of J. Paul Jr. & the Zydeco Nubreeds, Dave Mystery Band and even Lafayette's own raising Hip-Hop star Cupid dropped in for an appearance to woo the audience with a Marvin Gaye rendetion of "Let's Get It On" and huge hit "The Cupid Shuffle".
    Every year Washington produces new Catfish Queens in various age categories to represent and promote the 3rd oldest settlement in the state of Louisiana for the entire year at not only special events in Washington but throughout the parish and state.
    It seems every year brings a fierce competition of Chef's  trying their hand at winning the Annual Catfish Cook-Off held on the final Sunday of the Festival. This year was no different where 6 entries competed in a tour de cook-off. There combatants cook up a delicious recipe of Catfish second to none with closely guarded family secrets.
    Finally,  the main purpose of the Annual Catfish Festival every year is to benefit the citizens of Washington, especially the children. All proceeds from the Festival go toward upgrading the new library created in 2006 and other projects in the Town to produce strong minds for the future of Washington.