Beech Tree News Network

Dry weather finally came to the Green River Catfish Festival on Saturday, July 4, making for a large crowd for the annual Independence Day fireworks show.  With the three previous days impacted by widespread but heavy rain, festival organizers and those in attendance were grateful for a break from the rain. 

Closing ceremonies were held at 7 p.m. at the basketball court.  Chamber President James Runion thanked all those who attended the festival and announced the winners of the fishing tournament.  Green River Catifsh Festival Pageant winners Hannah Perry (Miss Catfish), Rachel Phelps (Miss Teen Butler County Catfish), and Andrea Deweese (Miss Butler County Fair Pre-Teen) were on hand to assist at the closing ceremonies.
Although no tagged fish were caught, a few anglers did walk away with some money in their pocket.   

Butler County Farm Bureau, Embry and Watts, and Morgantown Utilities each sponsored $100 for the biggest catfish of the day.  Bruce Patton had the biggest fish on Thursday with one weighing in at 24 pounds and 8 ounces.  Todd McDaniel had the largest catfish on Friday with one weighing 14 pounds and 12 ounces.  Donald Renfrow finished strong on Saturday, barely edging out Patton with a catfish weighing 24 pounds and 10 ounces.  In addition to being a $100 daily winner, Renfrow won $2,000 for the largest overall catfish for the tournament.  
Meanwhile, Deena Brown was the lucky $1,000 winner of the "dry land" fishing tournament.  She actually won her ticket by listening to and calling in to The New Q101.5.

Star Tek Recycling also gave away $500 as part of a drawing for the fishing tournament.  John Annis and Troy Hatcher won $150 each; Dudley Childress won $200.

Delta Faucet took a big part in the 2015 festival.  They gave away sets of faucets to Tiffany Duvall and Candace Owsley.  Delta also sponsored the Fishin' For the Little One each night.  Those winners were Layla Vincent $10; Jazmin Vasquez $10; and Courtnei Alexander $100. 

With heavy rains impacting parking for July 4, festival organizers decided to try busing people to the park from satellite locations in Morgantown. 

 
"The parking became the major concern at the festival due to all the rain over the Wednesday through Friday.  The parking lot became awful and we had to make the decision Friday to close most of the park," said Runion.  "Scott Howard (Butler County Schools' Superintendent) provided the buses and fuel and we could not thank him enough.   Allison LaMastus and April Raymer came in on their holiday breaks and did a great job with the shuttle service and all the riders had kind things to say about the service.  The busing seemed to go over well," added Runion. 

Runion was especially grateful to all the sponsors who stepped up to support the Catfish Festival. 
"At the Chamber we want to thank all our sponsors without them we could not put on the festival.   Financially it wasn’t the greatest  festival, but anytime you get to see the community enjoy being with friends and family, you have to call the festival a success," said Runion.  "Again thanks to all our volunteers and sponsors for once again supporting the Chamber."

Runion also pointed out that several non-profit organizations in the county benefitted from the festival.
"Non-profits that worked the gate were able to earn over $6,000 for their organizations," said Runion.