Cahaba River Frydown

Cahaba River Frydown 2025 is the 16th annual catfish cookoff and festival celebrating the Cahaba River and benefiting Cahaba River Society. It’s Birmingham’s only fish fry competition with judges and crowd tasting, making it a culinary treat and a must-taste event in Birmingham’s dynamic food scene. ​

More than just a cook-off, Frydown is a full-scale festival of community, conservation, and culinary creativity. Features include live music, kids’ activities, environmental education stations, cold beer from Cahaba Brewing, and of course, delicious catfish. With exciting prizes and festival-style entertainment, Frydown promises a memorable celebration of food, family, and fun all while raising awareness for one of the most biodiverse rivers in the country and a major drinking water source for hundreds of thousands of Alabamians.