Sondra Hernandez Staff writer August 14, 2024

This year’s Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival returns in October featuring a Montgomery native, one of Houston’s most popular tribute bands and local up-and-coming acts in the music lineup. 

The 35th annual festival is set for Oct. 11-13 on the downtown Conroe square. Josh Ward and William Clark Green are the headliners with returning favorites including Wayne Toups, Geno Delafose and Bayou Roux. 

Here’s what to know about the festival’s music lineup and changes for this year’s event:

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What is the festival? 

The nonprofit group the Friends of Conroe puts on the event every year. Proceeds from the event support student scholarships and the annual Friends Feeding Friends Thanksgiving meal. 

Inspired by Cajun music and the common desire to bring a festival to downtown Conroe, the 15 founding members first came together in 1990 to organize the first Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival. Co-founder Charles Tullos said it all began when he and Sandra Walker were talking. They were reminiscing about when the Lions Club Carnival took place on the downtown square in the 1950s and 1960s. 

The first festival was held in mid-November in 1990. In 1995, the 74th state Legislature designated the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival as the official Cajun Catfish Festival of the state of Texas.

Music lineup 

There will be two stages for entertainment with one on North Thompson near the Owen Theatre and the other on Main Street near Texas 105. Devon Stevens, vice president of the Friends of Conroe, said the stage with Cajun acts will return to Main Street this year based on feedback from last year’s event. 

The carnival with free admission opens at 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at the corner of Texas 105 and Texas 75. Music kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday. 

The stage previously known as the Texas Stage will be the Xfinity Stage this year. Friday’s music line up on this stage includes Matt Castillo, Jesse Raub Jr. and Josh Ward. Saturday brings Payton Riley, Payton Howie, The Wilder Blue, William Beckmann and William Clark Green. Sunday’s lineup is The Fab 5, Escape, Zach Jones and the 45’s and the Allie Rae Band. 

On the stage with Cajun music the Friday lineup includes Double Trouble Zydeco, Geno Delafose and French Rockin Boogie. Saturday is Double Trouble Zydeco, Keyun and the Zydeco Masters, Wayne Toups and Bayou Roux. 

The Payton Riley Band, the Allie Rae Band and Zach Jones and the 45’s band were selected after the nonprofit’s Catfish Got Talent show at the Table at Madeley July 14. 

The Mr. and Mrs. Catfish Pageant will take place Sunday afternoon at the stage on Main Street. 

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Need to know 

The vendors have expanded for this year. Visitors can expect more than 50 vendors on festival weekend. Two new food vendors include Poly Wog’s Cajun and Midnight Cravings dessert spot. 

Shuttles will continue this year. Conroe Connections buses will pick festival visitors up from the Park and Ride spot under Interstate 45 at FM 2854 and drop them off at the festival. 

The shuttle rides are free and will continue throughout the festival’s run. 

Early bird ticket pricing continues through Aug. 18. Discounted tickets continue from Aug. 18 through the opening of the festival. See the festival website for ticket options and more details about the event. 

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