Catfish Days returns this week for 50th annual event

Thousands of people are readying to visit Trempealeau this weekend in what organizers say will be three days full of camaraderie, fun and plenty of catfish sandwiches.

Catfish Days returns this Friday through Sunday in what will be the 50th year of the Lions Club sponsored event.

“I think it’s a lot about friendship and neighbors getting together,” said Brian Riehle, who finished his two-year term as Lions Club President on June 30. “And of course everybody loves the catfish sandwiches because there’s really nowhere else to get one of those.”

Catfish Days began in 1972 as a way to bring Trempealeau residents together, both Riehle and Glen Brommerich said. Brommerich took over as president for Riehle July 1.

The first ever Catfish Days was organized by the Trempealeau Business Association before the Lions Club took it over the following year. It’s been strong and steady since 1972, including during 2019-20 when the COVID pandemic changed the event to a catfish sandwich drive-thru.

“We have huge support in our town here, and people come from outside of town also,” Riehle said. “For some reason we really can bring them in to enjoy the festival by the river. … We keep everybody busy, and there is something for everybody.”

Organizers typically see as many as 4,000 people at the event, Riehle told the Times, saying there is plenty of entertainment for those who venture to this year’s celebration.

Performers, the annual youth fishing tournament, a golf scramble tournament, a car show, kiddie parade and other events are on the schedule, along with beer and wine tasting and other recreational options.

This year’s event opens with a flea market in Central Park on Friday at 3 p.m. with the fishing tournament and kiddie parade set for Saturday morning. Sunday opens with a pancake breakfast before the grand parade at 2 p.m.

The egg toss competition figures to be a big hit again this year, Riehle said, and families have already told him they have their sights set on the trophy and the grand $1 prize.

“Everybody’s talking about catfish days, and they can’t wait,” Riehle said. “The camaraderie is huge, and we get a lot of community support that really involves everybody in town. It’s a community event, and we really appreciate all of the help.”

Proceeds from the event are used by the Lions Club to serve the community. A handful of class reunions are planned for the same weekend every year to get people back for Catfish Days, and another celebration to commemorate 50 years of the event is set for the Saturday after Labor Day.

Past Catfish Day queens are invited to participate in the parade on Sunday as well as other festivities throughout the weekend.

“The community really comes out to support us,” Brommerich said. “We make some money, but we like to give it right back to the community.”

A lot has changed in 50 years of the event, and entertainment has broadened widely, Riehle said. Music has been a constant, as has the namesake for the event— the notorious catfish sandwich.

“If you’ve never had one,” Riehle said, “you’ve definitely got to come for that.”