Back in 1983, a committee formed to organize a small town Labor Day festival. They started with chicken dinners and fish fries to raise money to fund their little festival. The First Annual Labor Day Festival was attended mostly by locals and neatly filled the First Baptist Church grassy lot. Despite the family fun and great food, the festival lacked something: a mascot. Cecil the Catfish became the face of the newly named Annual Labor Day Catfish Festival several years later.

Twenty-five years later the small, one-day event has grown into Camden County’s largest and most well-known festival touting multiple regional and national awards. During the three days of Labor Day Weekend, more than 65,000 people will flood the streets of downtown Kingsland, Georgia to browse over 100 arts and crafts/antiques and collectibles exhibits, sample the foods of nearly 30 different food vendors, and, of course, sit down to enjoy farm-raised Southern Fried Catfish, hushpuppies, grits, coleslaw, and sweetened iced tea.

The Annual Labor Day Catfish Festival has grown tremendously over the years, but some things have not changed. The festival still takes place in the four blocks of downtown Kingsland. All of the arts and crafts vendors are still required to display handcrafted, original wares. At the Labor Day Catfish Festival, you won’t find mass-produced merchandise and store-bought resale.

One thing this year has changed. Over the last twenty-five years, local bands and festival patrons alike have wondered why the festival entertainment doesn’t include local performers on the Main Stage. This year to commemorate and acknowledge the support of Kingsland and Camden County during the last quarter-century, the Annual Labor Day Catfish Festival will feature, in addition to the regionally and nationally known headliners, two local entertainers on the Main Stage.

Join the fun in the Southeast this year as a festival patron, exhibitor, parade unit, or even as a performer! Come to Kingsland, Georgia for the 25th Annual Labor Day Catfish Festival where everyone receives the Royal Treatment!