Posted on May 21, 2019
Despite the recent rainfall, Felsenthal will host its annual Bream Festival this weekend at the Grand Marais Campgrounds. The festival is an annual event but was canceled last year due to flooding. The Planning Association met on Friday to check the water levels. Earlier in the month, they said the festival would only be postponed if the water level was over K Avenue, which would close access to the town. They said the event would not be canceled this year, though it would be rescheduled if the water levels were too high. At the meeting, however, it was determined that the festival could continue as planned. It will start Friday with a kick off at 7 p.m. followed by live music by J.T. Lee and Black Strap along with a crawfish boil. However, the majority of the festivities will be on Saturday starting with the Bream Tournament at 6 a.m. and going until the Black Water Brake concert from 8 p.m. until midnight.
• 6 a.m. – Noon: Bream Tournament
• 10 a.m.: Cake Walk
• 10 a.m.: Silver Kicker Dancers
• 11 a.m.: Little Miss/Little Mister Pageant
• Noon: Bream Tournament Weigh In
• 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Deanie Walthal Memorial Baggo Tournament
• 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Horseshoe Tournament
• 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Gospel Singing
• 8 p.m. – Midnight: Live Music by Black Water Brake The festival has traditionally been held on Memorial Day weekend.
In past years, the proceeds from BreamFest have gone toward charities. This year, the planning association will use the proceeds to benefit next year’s festival with the hopes of helping it grow. After this year, the proceeds will continue to be donated.
The Little Miss/ Little Mister Pageant has been a big draw this year with plenty of responses from the community.
“When they posted [about the pageant] on Facebook, it blew up pretty good. We got a lot of responses on that, so I know for sure that’s going to be a pretty big event,” Planning Association Vice President Craig Ellis said in February.
However, Ellis said the main draw of the festival is still its namesake in the bream fishing tournament. The association sought out sponsors to help provide prizes for the tournament winners this year.
Formoreinformation, visit facebook.com/felsentalbreamfest.
Michael Shine may be reached at 870-862-6611 or mshine@eldoradonews.com. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook @ MichaelAZShine for updates on Union County school news.