There’s A Catfish Festival In Minnesota And It’s Just As Wacky And Wonderful As It Sounds

The tiny St. Louis County town of Floodwood, MN is at the center of many things. It's between Duluth and Grand Rapids on U.S. Route 2; the town is close to both Savanna Portage State Park and the Sax-Zim Bog. Most importantly, perhaps, it lies at the confluence of three rivers: the aptly-named Floodwood River, the East Savanna River, and the St. Louis River, which is the largest in northeastern Minnesota. It's presumably this that makes Floodwood the "Catfish Capital of the World" - and the host of Catfish Days, a small town Minnesota festival that celebrates the community's pride in its title.

Floodwood, Minnesota is the "Catfish Capital of the World."

No - seriously. It says so right on the town's water tower!

And to celebrate its benevolent catfish reign, the town throws a party every July.

Catfish Days is just the kind of small town Minnesota festival you'd hope for on a summer weekend.

Streets are closed and lined with vendors of food, drink, services, and locally-made goods

You'll find all sorts of activities, including kids events and plenty of ways to cool off under the hot July sun.

Live entertainment, a street dance, and a beer garden keep folks around well into the evening.

And a well-considered "safe ride" shuttle gets them home at night.

Festival goers can also show off their skills in all manner of contests, ranging from races and horseshoes tournaments to, of course, a catfish catching competition (heaviest fish wins!).

Whether your convinced that Floodwood is the "Catfish Capital of the World" or not, you'll certainly enjoy yourself at Catfish Days. For more information about the festival or to see a schedule of events, visit the Floodwood Catfish Days website, or check out the festival on Facebook for updates, photos, and videos.

Have you attended Catfish Days - or caught a catfish near Floodwood? If so, let us know in the comments - and post a fish pic, if you have one!