Beech Tree News Network

The Green River Catfish Festival officially got underway yesterday - Wednesday, July 4 - in a day that began with the terrapin race, included opening ceremonies, and wrapped up with a fireworks show.  

Morgantown Mayor Linda Keown welcomed those attending the festival during opening ceremonies.  In her remarks, Keown thanked the Chamber and Festival Committee for their hard work on this year's festival.  The mayor described the Catfish Festival as a "tradition where family and friends come together and for people to come back and visit."  Keown also touched on the patriotic significance of Independence Day.

"While watching the fireworks, remember the wars, people and soldiers it took for our freedom that we cherish," said Keown.  "We want to celebrate today with the spirit of freedom."  

On hand to assist with the opening ceremonies were several 2011 pageant winners:  Chelsea Renea Tutko, Miss Butler County Fair; Casey Porter, Miss Catfish Festival; Hayden Johnson, Miss Catfish / Pre-Teen; Taylor Burden, Miss Butler County Fair / Pre-Teen; and Hannah Suggs, Little Miss Catfish.  

The Butler County High School NJROTC Cadets presented the American Flag, while the Journey Hixenbaugh sang the National Anthem. 

Chamber of Commerce President Jamie Chaney and board members / festival co-chairs Ricky Romans and Randell Gaskey conducted what is considered the main purpose of the opening ceremonies - drawing envelopes representing tagged fish for the fishing tournament.  This year's fishing tournament features 30 fish totaling $16,750.  The "Big One" is worth $10,000 and is sponsored by the Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce.  

Other sponsored fish are as follows:

Master One Tax Service, Jones Funeral Chapel & Monument Company, Drake's Farm Service, Aberdeen Grocery, Archery & Bait Shop, and Judge-Executive David Fields - 1 fish worth $1.000.

Mayor Linda Keown and Morgantown City Council - 1 fish worth $1,000.

Henderson Land Surveying and Clean Kentucky Septic Service - 1 fish worth $1,000.

Morgantown Prescription Center - 1 fish worth $500.

StarTek Recycling - 1 fish worth $250.

Kentucky Farm Bureau - 1 fish worth $250.

Warren RECC - 2 fish worth $200 each.

Chad's Wrecker Service & Body Shop - 1 fish worth $200.

Embry & Watts, CPAs - 4 fish worth $100 each.

Gill Logging - 2 fish worth $100 each.  

Morgantown Utilities - 2 fish worth $100 each.

Melissa Cardwell, Circuit Clerk - 1 fish worth $100.

Quality Supply Company & Advanced Heating & Cooling - 1 fish worth $100.

Randy & Gina Tynes - 1 fish worth $100.

Butler County Water System - 1 fish worth $100.

PBI Bank - 2 fish worth $100 each.

Dale & Martha Franklin - 5 fish worth $100 each.

H&H Interiors / Tony and Deana Hunt - 1 fish worth $100.  

Additionally, Hocker Family Insurance is paying $250 to the angler who catches the biggest catfish - tagged or not tagged - during the tournament.  According to Mark Kuprion, who is running the official check station at the Morgantown Boat Ramp, fishermen Vic Coots and Mark Sullivan are tied as each has turned in a 4lb. catfish.  As of 2 p.m. Thursday, July 5, no tagged fish have been turned in.  The tournament began this morning and will run through Saturday.   

See a recap of the opening ceremonies and the 6th Annual Southern Kentucky Star Search at http://youtu.be/_EaZrqS2V84?hd=1.