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*NEW IN 2026*

Florida River Fest is excited to announce the 1st Annual Catfish

Cook-Off at Neal Landing on Friday February 27th at 6pm cst. This is a ticketed event with limited availability!! Tickets can be purchased below or by contacting any Calhoun County Community Foundation Member. 

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WHAT IS THE CATFISH COOK-OFF - 10 competitors from across the region will gather at Neal Landing to compete for $500 cash and bragging rights as the new Catfish Cook-Off Champion! Each competitor will prepare sample bites of their best Catfish Cuisine while The Calhoun County Community Foundation will provide side dishes, hushpuppies, drinks, & dessert. 

WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH MY TICKET - You will receive dinner, live entertainment, and your voting token. Dinner includes samples from each competitor, 2 sides, hushpuppies, a non-alcoholic beverage, & dessert.

HOW IT WORKS - Upon entering you will be given a voting token and dinner tray. You will enjoy your meal while listening to some incredible entertainment on the FL River Fest Riverfront Main Stage. When you've tasted all the catfish drop your token into the basket of the competitor you wish to vote for. When the voting ends, the team with the most tokens in their basket will be named Catfish Cook-Off Champion & take home $500 cash!

ARE KIDS ALLOWED - Yes! Absolutely! But keep in mind all attendees over 5 years old must have a ticket. There are not multiple ticket levels. All tickets are the same.

CAN YOU COMPETE IF YOU'RE NOT A RESTAURANT - Yes! We want anyone who thinks they have the winning Catfish recipe to compete but sign up early because we only have 10 spaces available.

Purchase your tickets here...

Catfish Cook-Off Tickets

Tickets purchased online are $26. All tickets ordered online will be available for pick up at the event gate on Feb. 27, 2026 under the name on this order form.

 

Select an item ($)

Thanks for your order!

Apply to be a competitor here...

RULES & REGULATIONS 

 

There is no registration fee.

 

Teams can consist of 1-3 people. Select a team name and team captain below on the registration form.

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Please only cook CATFISH. No other types of fish will be permitted.

 

All teams must load in by 4pm on Friday February 27th. Gates will open and service will begin at 6pm cst. There will be no vehicle movement inside the gates after 5pm cst. All teams must load out by 10pm cst. (after guests have cleared and it is safe for vehicles to move) A CCCF team member will notify you when you are permitted to drive through the gates. 

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All grease & food trash must be disposed of OFF-SITE! Absolutely no grease or food scraps are to be dumped at Neal Landing. If you are found to be dumping onsite you are subject to a $500 fine in addition to forfeiture of any monies awarded (if applicable).

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Feel free to decorate your tent. Wear Team shirts or aprons. Be festive. HAVE FUN! Remember personality and customer service are key!!!

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The Calhoun County Community Foundation will provide the following for competitors:

 

  • Sample boats (bowls)

  • 1 6ft table (for sample serving / no cooking or hot cookware allowed on CCCF tables)

  • Cutlery for guests

  • 1 roll of paper towels per tent

  • On site Trash cans

  • Basket for tokens

  • 3 Tickets per team to the event

  • Side dishes, drinks, & dessert for guests

 

 

All competitors must provide the following:

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  • 300 sample bites of catfish (SINGLE bite samples NOT full filets or large portions of catfish nuggets)

  • Pop Up Tent and weights

  • 2-5 additional tables if needed (must not expand beyond allowed space)

  • Cookers, Propane, Oils, Cooking Utensils, Seasonings, etc (all prep supplies needed)

Catfish Cook-Off Competitor Registration

Thanks for registering! We'll see you at the river!

Oh no! It looks like the competition is full for 2026! Don't worry, you can still grab some tickets above (or at the gate) and come enjoy the event as a guest!

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