The St. Helen Bluegill Festival has been going strong for 59 years, providing great entertainment and joy to the area and this year will be no exception.

What exactly is a bluegill? It is a freshwater game fish that people catch with live bait. People enjoy catching this flavoful fish at dawn and at dusk. They also sometimes called panfish.

Bluegills are a little mischevious. They are known to take the bait off of a hook (without getting caught!). Males and females have distinct colors. But sometimes a male fish who is guarding a nest will take on female colors to fool other male fish. 

The festival starts with the kickoff ceremony tomorrow at 6 pm until they give the final award at Sunday’s award ceremony, it will be nonstop fun.

There will be: a parade, a carnival, vendors, DJs spinning tunes, tournaments, live bands, crafters, medallion hunt, raffles, fishing contests, kids parade, games, airplane exhibit, an auto show , car cruise and much more! Visit www.bluegillfestival.org/ for complete details.

Here are some highlights-

THURSDAY
Sloppy Joe Dinner
Midnight Live Band

FRIDAY
Senior Day
Horseshow Tournament

SATURDAY
Softball Tournament’
Talent Show

SUNDAY
Car show
Annual Bluegill parade