Catfish Days

Wilmington's Catfish Days carnival secured for next three years

Published by admin on Tue, 10/10/2023 - 5:13pm

As fall gets underway, the next Catfish Days festival feels like it’s just a vision board and a dream away.

But, organizers are already working hard to get plans in place for next summer’s signature event on the North Island.

On Oct. 3, the members of the Wilmington City Council approved an agreement with Zeiler Amusements for the Catfish Days carnival over the next three years. Zeiler has been the carnival provider for more than two decades of the festival, but most years the Catfish Days committee locked into a single event contract.

Dairy farm connected them with community

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 4:46pm

Few families are as qualified as the Hazzards to serve as Grand Marshals of the “Down on the Farm” Catfish Days parade.

For 30 years the Hazzard Dairy provided the community with wholesome milk and dairy products where Wilmington Middle School stands today. Former Hazzard farmland has been turned into city subdivisions and school grounds. And early ancestors even served in city government. Hazzard kin has been living in Wilmington for nearly 170 years.

Catfish Days preps for a homegrown festival: Down on the Farm

Published by admin on Tue, 03/21/2023 - 5:14pm

The first official day of spring arrived on Monday, which means the countdown is on for the arrival of summer. And with the warm weather comes festival season.

Last week, the organizers of Catfish Days in Wilmington officially announced this year’s theme for the annual festival: Down on the Farm.

Orr says farewell as Wilmington Catfish Days Chair

Published by admin on Tue, 07/26/2022 - 4:06pm

Few names in town are synonymous with Catfish Days quite like Marty Orr.

Chair of the festival for more than two decades now, Orr announced earlier this month that this year would be his last as the head of the committee.

Wilmington Park District has big plans for Catfish Days

Published by admin on Tue, 07/19/2022 - 4:02pm

The Wilmington Park District will play a big role in this year’s Catfish Days festival, planning four days of events for the entire family, and some for a big cause.

Catfish Days “Goes to Vegas” is the theme for 2022.

The park district will help kick off the event with a farmer’s market on Thursday at the Water Street Fitness facility from 4-8 p.m.

On Friday, the park district makes their way over to the South Island, where fun for kids and adults kicks off at 4 p.m.

What happens in Wilmington…

Published by admin on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 4:55pm

Catfish Days are still two months away, but the Catfish Days planning committee is already finalizing plans for this year's festival.

Festival organizer Marty Orr addressed members of the Wilmington City Council on May 3 with an update on the planning for this year’s event.

"This year is our 24th year, we didn't [hold the festival in] 2020 but we count it because we planned for it,” Orr said. "We're excited about this year, this year's theme is 'Catfish Days is going to Las Vegas,' so what happens at Catfish Days stays at Catfish Days.”

History of Catfish Days

Published by admin on Fri, 04/01/2022 - 11:38am

Few people know how Catfish Days originated in Wilmington. It all started in 1976 when a giant catfish was caught from the Kankakee River and hauled to the lumber yard.

After it was cleaned and cut into fillets, there was so much fresh fish the mayor called for a giant fish fry on the North Island Park. Members of a group of cooks who called themselves the Crazy 8 plus One set up deep-fat friers, dipped the fillets in a special batter and served up over 900 meals. 

Since then Catfish Days has been an annual town celebration.

Thanks for reading April Fools.

Top Catfish Days medallion found in record time

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 5:36pm

It took less than 30 minutes, a record, for the medallion with the biggest prize to be found during Catfish Days.

The Bob Bolser - Country Financial medallion, worth $500 in Wilmington Chamber gift certificates, was found hidden at Memorial Park by the Strong family.

Catfish Days Committee in final preparation for this year’s festival

Published by admin on Tue, 06/22/2021 - 4:17pm

With the state’s economy reopened, organizers for Catfish Days are busy working on all the final details for next month’s festival.

Committee chair Marty Orr addressed the Wilmington City Council on June 15, requesting approximately $22,000 from the city for Catfish Days expenses.

Catfish Days look good to go in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 06/01/2021 - 4:57pm

Last month, the state of Illinois moved from Phase 4 to the Bridge to Phase 5 in the Restore Illinois Plan, an guideline created by Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health to reopen the economy following closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That change includes increases in capacity limits for all businesses, as well as increases for festivals and flea markets.