The Rev. William McCallion founded the festival in 1975 to raise money for St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church and to stimulate the economy. It has grown into one of the area's most popular attractions.In 1975, Gov. Edwin Edwards signed a proclamation declaring Des Allemands the Catfish Capital of the World, and in 1980 the Legislature passed a resolution naming it the Catfish Capital of the Universe.
