Beech Tree News Network

Festivities for the 40th Annual Catfish Festival began last weekend with the Green River Road Race. Events continue this weekend with the Tackle the Green Fishing Tournament which will take place from 6:00am to 6:00pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 23-25.Featuring over 100 tagged fish, the tournament will also have daily prizes, sponsored, once again, by Camping World of Bowling Green. These will include drawings for both daily and overall goose egg, river entry, youth fisherman, veteran fisherman, awards for smallest fish, largest fish, and more. Tickets to fish may be purchased for $15 at Drakes Farm Service, Aberdeen Grocery, Crossroads Market, TripleC Pawn and Gun, and Camping World of Bowling Green.   

Fishermen may choose to fish from a boat or the bank, may use as many rods as desired, and many fish in any part of the Green River. Check-in takes place at the Morgantown Boat Ramp on Old River Road. Fish must be alive to be checked in, more than one can be checked, and you can keep fish after they have been checked in. The weekend’s fishing contest will culminate in a Fisherman’s Dinner on Sunday the 25th at 6:30pm at the Morgantown Boat Ramp. 

Saturday, June 24th won’t just be for fishing. The Butler County Fair Pageants will be held throughout the day. All pageants will be held in the Morgantown Elementary School Gym. Registration for ages 0-7 begins at 9:00am and pageants begin at 10:00 am. Categories will be as follows: 0–6-month-old girls,0–6-month-old boys, 7–12-month-old girls, 7–12-month-old boys, 13–18-month-old girls, 13–18-month-old boys, 19–23-month-old girls, 19–23-month-old boys, 2 years,3 years, 4-5 years,  and 6-7 years. The cost to enter each of these pageants will be $20. Suggested attire is Sunday best. 

Registration for the evening pageants begins at 4:00pm and the pageants begin at 5:00 p.m. The night’s festivities will begin with the Little Miss and Mr. pageants for ages 5-7. The cost for this pageant is $60. Contestants must have reached their 5th birthday by June 30, 2023, and must not have reached their 8th birthday by June 30, 2023. Winner titles - Little Miss and Mr., 1st, and 2nd runner up. Attire is Sunday best. This will be a title going to compete at State Level! 

Next will be Pre-Teen for ages 8-12. The cost to enter is $45. Winner titles are Pre-Teen Butler County, Pre-Teen Green River Catfish, 1st and 2nd Runners up. Attire should be formal wear, tea or floor length. 

Pre-Teen (8-12) Contestants must have reached her 8th birthday by June 30th, 2023, and must not have reached her 13th birthday by October 31st, 2023. 

Following this will be Teen for ages 13-15. At an entry cost of $45, winner titles include Teen Butler County, Teen Green River Catfish, 1st and 2nd Runners up. Attire should be formal wear. 

Lastly will be the Miss Catfish pageant which is for ages 16-21. Winner titles are Miss Butler County, Miss Green River Catfish, 1st and 2nd Runners up and Miss Congeniality. Entry to this pageant costs $50. There will be two outfit changes-casual wear and formal wear.