Cushing VFD Hosts Catfish Tournament and Crawfish Boil

Annual fishing event and inaugural food fundraiser bring community together in East Texas town.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:55pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a crawfish boil pot, capturing the festive energy of a community event.The Cushing VFD's inaugural crawfish boil fundraiser promises to bring a burst of Cajun flavor and community spirit to the small Texas town.Cushing Today

The Cushing Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its 3rd annual Angelina River Catfish Tournament from April 30 to May 3, with multiple categories for participants. In addition, the VFD is holding its first-ever crawfish boil fundraiser on May 2 at the fire station, selling crawfish by the pound along with sides.

Why it matters

Volunteer fire departments in rural Texas communities rely on creative fundraisers to cover the costs of equipment and operations, as they don't have the budget to pay full-time firefighters. These events bring the community together around shared interests like fishing and food, while also supporting an important public service.

The details

The Cushing Volunteer Fire Department's Angelina River Catfish Tournament will feature categories for Heavyweight 5 Stringer, Big Blue, Big Op, and Lightweight 5 Stringer, with a total entry fee of $175 per team. There is also a youth division. The tournament runs from April 30 to May 3, with the final weigh-in at 2 PM on May 3. On May 2, the VFD will host its first-ever crawfish boil fundraiser at the fire station, selling crawfish by the pound along with corn, potatoes, and other sides.

  • The Angelina River Catfish Tournament runs from April 30 to May 3, 2026.
  • The crawfish boil fundraiser will take place on May 2, 2026.

The players

Cushing Volunteer Fire Department

A volunteer fire department in the rural town of Cushing, Texas that relies on community fundraisers to cover equipment and operational costs.

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What they’re saying

“One of our local VFDs has one - or actually multiple fundraisers coming up, and they're pulling out all the stops to make them memorable.”

— Mark Cunningham, Author

The takeaway

Events like the Cushing VFD's catfish tournament and crawfish boil are vital for supporting volunteer fire departments in small Texas towns, bringing the community together around shared passions while raising funds for critical public safety services.