The inaugural Suwannee River Catfish Festival is this Saturday, May 16, in beautiful Branford. Festival president Darlene White said people can expect everything from live music to a pageant. 

“There’s going to be different food vendors, jewelry vendors, Avon vendors, all different kind of vendors,” said White. “There’s also going to be several live bands playing throughout the day. There will be a 5K run that morning and a pageant that afternoon.”

The festival will be at the Shrine Club/Greenway in Branford. 

White said there are many different vendors signed up to have booths at the festival and the number is growing daily. 

White said the festival was approved in February and the board put together the event in two and a half months, so while guests should have plenty to do at the festival this year, they can expect to see a lot more next year. 

“Next year, on Friday before the festival we’re planning on having a catfish and red-belly fishing tournament, a catfish cook-off and we’re also planning to host the first annual cheer competition in Branford,” said White. 

The Suwannee River Catfish Festival pageant is for all ages and genders. 

“It’s for men and women,” said White. “It’s not a traditional pageant. Because it is a catfish festival and it is to help raise awareness to the Suwannee River, we’re doing a ‘come dressed in your best fishing attire’ theme. It’s fun and it’s something that, hopefully, boys and men who fish would also participate in.” 

White said guests will be able to hear live music throughout the entire festival.

“Every band that comes will play a variety of music,” she said. “So guests won’t be sitting there for two hours listening to the same genre of music.” 

The funds raised from the festival will go back into the community. White said the festival will help the Branford High School Booster Club and Gainesville Fisher House. 

“The Gainesville Fisher House is an organization that gives housing, food and clothing back to military families,” said White. “One reason we decided to partner with them is because they are such a wonderful organization, and it gives us a chance, as a community, to raise money to help give back to our veterans who have fought for our safety and our freedom.” 

White also said that, while the festival will be donating money to the BHS Booster Club this year, each year they will donate to something new.

“Every year money will be donated to Fisher House, but we will pick a different club in the Branford school system to donate money to,” said White. “We want to make sure that not just one area of the school is being helped, but throughout the years all the clubs will be helped.” 

White said the reason the event was put on was not only to help raise money for Fisher House and Branford schools, but also because the festival board wants to see the town prosper. 

“So many people, even those in surrounding counties, don’t know what Branford has to offer,” said White. “We want to bring awareness to what Branford has and the beautiful Suwannee River.” 

Tentative schedule

Below is a tentative schedule provided by president Darlene White. Please note all changes are subject to change.

7-7:45 a.m. Registration for 5K

8:00 5K

9-10 Opening Ceremonies

Pledge 

National Anthem {Sang by Miss. Taylor White}

Guest Speaker Ted Yoho

Guest Speaker School Board Member District 5 Ronald White

Guest Speaker Fisher House Representative

Guest Speaker  Buccaneer Booster Club President Kenny Burt, Jr.

Guest Speaker Town Hall PresidentKen Saunders 

Guest Speaker Suwannee County Superintendent Jerry Scarborough 

Ribbon Cutting {President Ken Saunders}

10-4 Photo Booth $10 5×7 Remember the 1st Annual Festival

Pageant Registration 9-9:45

Pageant 10-11 {If we get enough applicants}

10-11:30 New Dimension Gospel Group

12-4 Mossy Oak Lee Band

4:30-6 Wild Azalea Brothers Band

5:00 50/50 Drawing Winner Announced

***During the day winners for door prizes will be announced. 

Activities in the park 

Along with various vendors, there will be a SRCF 5K and Pageant.

The SRCF is not your usual pageant; contestants are asked to sport their favorite fishing outfit. No glits and glammer in this pageant, only in your best fishing attire. Make-up and hair, however, are permitted.  Changing rooms will be available for fishermen and women. Check in is from 12-12:45 p.m. The pageant will begin at 1 p.m. and the winners will be announced afterwards.

There will be one winner from each category and an overall winner. Categories for the pageant include: Minnows: 0-3, Guppies: 4-7, Fishes: 8-11, Catfishes: 12-15, Big Mamas, women 16+, and Big Daddies, 16+.