Ware Shoals is quite an interesting little town. With a population of just over 1,600 people, the town straddles three counties: Abbeville, Greenwood, and Laurens. It’s had some interesting history through the years, including what is now an annual tradition known as the Catfish Feastival, one of the most delicious food festivals in South Carolina.

About 20,000 visitors descend upon the small South Carolina town of Ware Shoals each year during Memorial Day weekend for this event.
Food Festivals in South Carolina
Catfish Feastival - Genuine Page/Facebook
This event began in 1981 to harvest more than a ton of catfish from the shallows during the annual draining of the Riegel Textile Company pool and dam site. It's called a "feastival" because "we eat our way through it"!
Catfish Feastival - Genuine Page/Facebook
Catfish Feastival - Genuine Page/Facebook
There are several ways to enjoy catfish during the festival, including bone-in pieces, fillets, stew, and more.
Catfish Feastival - Genuine Page/Facebook
Be sure to bring your appetite!
But of course, there's much more than catfish to enjoy at the Catfish Feastival, which lasts for four days. Food trucks with all types of other foods will also be available for when you're ready to eat again!
Catfish Feastival - Genuine Page/Facebook
Walk through many craft vendor booths and find something fun and creative.
Catfish Feastival - Genuine Page/Facebook

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Catfish Feastival - Genuine Page/Facebook
You may also find services for another need in your life, such as in-home healthcare.
Catfish Feastival - Genuine Page/Facebook
A beauty pageant is also held with categories including ages from babies through both single and married adults and a male Catfish King is crowned.
Catfish Feastival - Genuine Page/Facebook
There will be live entertainment scheduled for different times throughout the festival.
Catfish Feastival - Genuine Page/Facebook
And you can enjoy carnival rides most days of the festival. Be sure to bring money for rides as well as for food.
Catfish Feastival - Genuine Page/Facebook
Catfish Feastival - Genuine Page/Facebook
Alcohol is not permitted as this is a family-friendly event, and pets are also not allowed. Bring your lawn chair though!

You’ll find much more information, including dates and times, on the Catfish Feastival website and the Catfish Feastival Facebook page. Have you ever been to this food festival in South Carolina? What was your favorite part of the festival?

If you’re looking for delicious catfish at any other time of the year, try Watermark Bar and Grill in Bonneau. And you don’t want to miss the world record-breaking catfish that was caught in a South Carolina lake!

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5 E Main St, Ware Shoals, SC 29692, USA