The Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival
Conroe, Texas

When: mid-October

Where: Activities take place on the downtown square in Conroe.

Join the throng of 30,000 to 40,000 spectators as the Montgomery County community gathers for a three-day seafood soiree.

Events: Budding Emeril Lagasse's can get up the gumption to enter the gumbo cook-off, while wine aficionados sample Lone Star-produced spirits in a wine tasting seminar. If you're hungry for a marine-themed menu, you can order shrimp, frogs legs, alligator, and of course, the festival's fish mascot, catfish, at one of the many food vendors.

Entertainment: Known for attracting nationally-lauded country, Tejano and zydeco acts, in past years the festival has welcomed Joe Ely, Pat Green, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Billy Joe Shaver and Vallejo on to the festival's five stages. For true ragin' cajun sounds, check out the competitors who make their bowstrings burn in the Texas State Fiddle Contest.

Children's Activities: Texas tots can board a child-sized choo choo that chugs through the designated Kid's Area, where little ones can cuddle cute critters at the petting zoo or saddle up for a pony ride. Half pint performers display their fancy footwork as they entertain an audience of their peers at the Small Fry Stage, while the amusement rides that dot the area provide a carnival-style ambiance for the entire family.

For more information:
• visit www.conroecajuncatfishfestival.com