Society Hill
CATFISH FESTIVAL
The Society Hill Catfish Festival
September 16th, 2023 - 10am to 4pm
At the Society Hill Depot
The Parade starts at 11am
(beginning at St David's Academy)
Get ready for an unforgettable experience! The Society Hill Catfish Festival promises a full day of unending fun for everyone. Taking place at the historic Society Hill Train Depot on Depot Street, right next to the Palmetto Furniture, our festival is the perfect blend of live music, thrilling games, artistic crafts, and mouth-watering food that'll have you coming back for more.
Celebrating our 36th annual festival in 2023, we've revamped and relocated to take your festival experience up a notch. Each year, we welcome hundreds of thrilled visitors from across the region, and this year, we're extending an invite to you and your family to join the party. You can soak up the ambiance, or even participate as a vendor.
Kickstart your day as vendors showcase their unique arts, crafts, and tantalizing foods, along with games that offer exciting prizes. You'll be greeted by the irresistible aroma of festival favorites like elephant ears, smoked sausage, barbecue, and fried catfish nuggets, not forgetting our famous hot catfish stew ready for your enjoyment. And of course, don't miss our spectacular car show, with a display of automobiles that'll leave you awe-struck.
The high-point of the day is our annual Festival Parade, which officially begins at 11am. Spectators from near and far crowd the streets to see the parade, this year commencing from St David's School and culminating at the SH Depot on Main Street. The parade is a dazzling spectacle of high school marching bands, homemade floats, beauty queens, local organizations, dignitaries, and an array of vehicles - from cars and trucks to horseback riders, horse and buggies, and motorcycles. And the cherry on top? We're anticipating not just one, but two grand marshals this year!
Kids, especially, find delight in the spectacle of candy being tossed into the crowd and the wave of excitement that the parade brings. We promise that this year's parade will be one of the grandest we've ever hosted. Come join us for a day that promises to be a feast for your senses!
Vendors
registration & regulations
registration & regulations
If you're interested in participating in our parade or becoming a vendor at our festival, simply download the relevant application. Should you need any extra details, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help!
The Catfish Festival Committee proudly operates on a First Come/First Serve basis for all applications. However, please note that we reserve the right to deny applications to ensure the best festival experience for all.
We kindly request that vendors follow the guidelines below to ensure a smooth festival day:
Early birds get the best spots: Vendor setup begins at 7:00 am, giving you ample time to prepare before the festival opens to the public at 10:00 am.
Let's be prompt: We ask all vendors to be setup and ready to welcome our guests by 10:00 am sharp.
Assistance at hand: Our Festival Staff will be on the grounds from 7:00 am to guide and help with vendor placement.
Commitment is key: The festival runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. We ask vendors to stay for the duration of the event to ensure guests enjoy the full experience.
Safety first: It's essential that vendors strictly adhere to all state food safety standards and regulations.
Space boundaries: To maintain a neat and organized festival environment, please contain all equipment and operations within your designated area (12x12). Should you need extra space, additional booth cost may apply.
Bring your essentials: Please note, all vendors are responsible for bringing their own tents, tables, extension cords, and equipment.
We're excited to see you at the Depot on Festival Day!