Each year, the International Falls Bass Championship draws thousands of people to Smokey Bear Park, along with 60 angler teams into area waterways, for a weekend unlike any other in Borderland.
And the sixth annual event last Friday and Saturday has only increased the momentum the previous championships began.
“Hands down we are the premier smallmouth bass tournament —period,” said International Falls Bass Championship President Gary Potter.
The two-day, two-person team, two-location smallmouth bass tournament also includes a variety of fishing and non-fishing related events catered to the whole family. Included this year were a family fun zone each afternoon with games and inflatable entertainment for children, around 10 food and beverage vendors, an arts and crafts fair, a classic car show, Budak Memorial Bike Ride, and nighttime entertainment including Sweet Siren Saturday and Damian the Hypnotist Friday. Singing competitions Teen Idol and Casting Call brought out some of the area’s talented vocalists.
Smokey Bear Park and especially the event’s main tent were packed with people young and old, enjoying the variety of events and what turned out to be a warm and dry two-day festival.
“In terms of community participation this was the best championship yet,” Potter said. “The community should be very proud of the job they have done on building the event to the level it is at.”
Potter said that the customers at the evening events commented to him that the lower ticket prices were more affordable for everyone. Ticket prices for each evening event over the weekend were reduced to $10 this year. He said lower prices translated into higher sales than in previous tournaments.
Not only did the community support the bass championship, but people came from near and far for the weekend events.
Potter said that he spoke to people from California, Seattle, Florida, Duluth, Grand Rapids, and Finland, Minn. who came to International Falls for the tournament. The event draws fishing teams from several Minnesota cities and Canada.
“Our championship is capped at 60 boats but we can have as many visitors as the park will hold. The community and visitors did a really good job of filling it up this year,” Potter said.
What is in store for next year’s tournament?
“We have had several new teams call on Monday morning asking about our event and how to register,” Potter said.
Potter said some board members have already begun discussing what worked well and improvements that could be made. Each year, the bass championship board tweaks the events and schedule to make for a smoother weekend.
He said that the board was pleased with this year switching the Teen Idol competition to after the boat parade Thursday night.
He said one change the board is considering is to have weigh-ins later to allow people who are working to be able to attend the ceremony and also to decrease the time before evening entertainment. The weigh-ins began as boats returned around 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the final ceremony around 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
