2010 Golconda Shrimp Festival, Sept. 18

Yes, there is Illinois shrimp. Besides shrimp vendors, the fest, in Golconda, Ill., just north of the Kentucky border, offers a good deal of barbecue and live music.

Festival details

My photos from the 2005 festival

Hi,

This is one festival I have been dying to get to. Unfortunately I am committed out the wazoo that weekend, so I am just going to have to wait for another year.

There are a number of catfish farms in the area, too. When the Mississippi flooded, these catfish farms were over run. It was when our nuisance fish, now called "Asian Carp" escaped into our waters.

I remember going to trout farms outside of Zagreb. They had a restaurant attached to it, too. You'd order your lunch of trout, then see them collect it in nets to begin cooking your meals.

I wonder if there are any restaurants on any of these (trout,) catfish and shrimp farms downstate. That would be as fresh a fish meal as you could possibly have.

Regards,

Here's a little more about the shrimp and the fest.

I haven't heard of any restaurants. The shrimp are harvested all in one go by draining the pond, so it isn't like they could catch some for your dinner.

Some of the farms evidently do tours and host their own harvest festivals: http://www.agfun.com/southern_attractions.html