Something’s fishy
Downtown event Friday a prelude to catfish festivalBy Connie Cartmell, ccartmell@mariettatimes.com
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Fact Box
Catfish Derby Days Festival
Saturday - Muskingum Park
11 a.m. - Outdoor recreation and educational exhibits open
Exhibits include:
19 Catfish sculptures; catfish art by local school children
Catfish Chris, featuring live catfish in a fresh water tank
Wayne National Forest
Muskingum River Parkway
League of Ohio Sportsmen
ODNR Division of Wildlife
Friends of the Lower Muskingum River
River Valley Mountain Bike Association
Catfish fry and Broughton's ice cream concessions open
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Painted catfish sculptures on display and silent auction
Minimum starting bid is $100 per catfish sculpture. People's Choice Award - 25 cents per vote.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Kids games in the park, inflatable bounce and jungle gym sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Marietta.
Noon to 10 p.m. - Concerts in Muskingum Park
Noon: High Schools That Rock
1:20 p.m.: Richards Brothers
2:45 p.m.: Bobby D and the Band of Brothers
4:30 p.m.: Laurel Creek
5:45 p.m.: Little Mill Creek Boys
7 p.m.: Hard Drive
8:45 p.m.: Johnny Staats
3 p.m. - Watch the Catfish Tournament weigh-in and release at Marietta boat ramp
4 p.m. - Bobber drop raffle from Putnam Bridge; first prize $1,000; second prize $500 - Tickets are $5 each
5 p.m. - Catfish Tournament awards presentation
8:30 p.m. - Catfish auction winners announced
9:30 p.m. - Lighted boat parade on the Muskingum River
Sunday
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Humane Society Car Show, Muskingum Park
It was one of those balmy, nearly perfect summer nights in downtown Marietta Friday when few visitors, merchants or artists seemed in any hurry to shut the door, turn off the lights and go home.
In fact, a concert on the Marietta armory lawn, featuring the music of Idle Times, drew several hundred people once the shops closed.
Many said the last Merchants and Artists Walk of the summer was everything they hoped for, and more.
"I like the flow of people along the street, and there's something different in every shop," said Ronald Wright, 49, of New Matamoras.
He and a good bit of his family traveled to the heart of Marietta to enjoy the festival atmosphere Friday.
"I see people here I know from Newport and the Belpre area," Wright said. "It's just something different. We had dinner and just like to look at everything."
The traditional downtown event was the opener for what is promised to be a "fishy" weekend.
Downtown and in Muskingum Park, the inaugural Catfish Derby Days Festival kicks off Saturday morning with exhibits of 19 catfish sculptures, children's games, music and a catfish fry.
Later, there will be a silent auction to give the artsy catfish a permanent home. Minimum starting bid is $100 per fish. There is also a $1,000 prize for a "bobber bob" raffle from Putnam Bridge at 4 p.m., and the day will be capped off with a lighted boat parade on the Muskingum River at 9:30 p.m.
On Friday evening, folks enjoyed strolling along Front, Putnam, and Second streets, just chatting and doing their thing.
"Tonight's been wonderful," said Barbara Gammon, owner of Tin Rabbit Antiques, 204 Front St. "The weather tonight was perfect."
Gammon is a huge fan of the summer walks.
"As for bringing people downtown, it's good. There isn't a lot of buying, but people don't want to fool with it when they are visiting and all," she said. "They'll be back."
Each participating shop played host to a professional artist. Gammon's was John Fauber of Devola with "Life's Art," pictures and paintings of nature scenes.
"This is a great way for an artist to get exposure," Fauber said. "It seems like the whole town turns out."
At Barb and Doug Griener's Turquoise Spirit, 128 Front St., Cincinnati artist John McFaul exhibited oil paintings and original nature prints. It was McFaul's first time at the event.
"It's a nice crowd of very well-informed people," he said. "I talked with a lot of travelers, and we had good conversations."
Owner Doug Griener said he thought crowds Friday were down a bit from July, but still impressive. The streets were crowded until well past 9 p.m.
"The one in July was the biggest we've ever had," he said. "We get a lot of people through here who are surprised at all we have. They do come back."
