By Aly Davis

Contributing Writer

To the pleasure of locals and visitors alike, Des Allemands will host the 37th annual Louisiana Catfish Festival this weekend, June 22-24, at St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church.

Chairman Kurt J. Dempster said he expects the festival will attract between 15,000 and 25,000 people throughout the weekend with craft booths, carnival rides, monster trucks, raffles, food and live music. The city of Des Allemands, named by the Louisiana Legislature the Crawfish Capital of the Universe in 1980, has hosted the Louisiana Crawfish Festival for 37 years as a fundraiser for the St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church.

Festivities begin Friday, June 22, at 5 p.m., with the opening of craft and food booths. Among the many treats available this weekend, one of the higihlights is “the fried catfish, of course,” Dempster laughed. Festival-goers can also enjoy po-boys, gumbo, sauce piquant, snoballs, and more. A 1-Mile Fun Run and 5K will kick off Saturday morning’s activities at 7 a.m., with booths and rides opening at 10 a.m. and continuing until 11 p.m. The festival will resume Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Entertainment will be provided by a variety of local bands and DJs this weekend, with “Billboard” Top-40 artist Ronnie McDowell headlining a Saturday evening performance at 7 p.m. The festival also will offer carnival rides. Riders may purchase one wristband for all three days for $55 or half-day wristbands for $25. Young and old will also enjoy catfish skinning exhibitions, 2-2:30 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday.

See page 5B of today’s paper for a complete festival schedule.

With free admission and parking, this event should provide a fun outing for the whole family without putting too big a dent in the pocketbook. It takes place at St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church, 17292 Louisiana Highway 631, Des Allemands. Visit www.LouisianaCatfish Festival.com or call 985-758-7542 for more information.