By EMILY GEDDE
Staff Writer
Those who “came for the fun” during the eighth annual International Falls Bass Championship gave the event the best turnout to date, according to organizers.
The two-day, two-person team, two-water tournament brought in 61 teams and hundreds of community members and visitors. Thursday, Friday and Saturday included a variety of events not only catered to anglers, but to the entire family.
Included this year was a family fun zone each afternoon with games and inflatable entertainment for children; around 15 food and beverage vendors; an arts and crafts fair; the 5K Bass Dash; a classic car show; and nighttime entertainment featuring Damian the Hypnotist, music from Brat Pack Radio and the Teen Idol and Casting Call singing competitions.
Smokey Bear Park and the event’s main tent were packed with people young and old, who came out to enjoy the variety of events and what turned out to be a warm and dry festival, despite a lingering storm that hit anglers on Rainy Lake and Rainy River.
IFBC President Gary Potter said the participation from volunteers, sponsors, anglers, and members of the community made the event the success it was.
“Smokey Bear Park was jammed all three nights,” he said. “It was so much fun to see the whole community at the park relaxing and having fun.”
Potter added that board was also pleased with the turnout and especially let out a sigh of relief when Saturday’s storm steered clear of the park.
Thursday’s boat parade was again a fan-favorite, drawing hundreds of kids and adults who lined up along Third Street waving and shouting at anglers who were throwing goodies to the crowd.
“The boat parade is what makes my week,” said angler Brent Carlson of Blaine. “That is my absolute favorite part of this event.”
The singing competitions saw a good turnout. Dylan Ossachuk of Fort Frances took home the top prize for the Teen Idol contest and Mark Gierszewski and Dean Piekarski came out on top for the Casting Call contest.
Damian the hypnotist sent a large crowd into a fit of laughter with the stunts of hypnotized community members.
“Every year, we look for ways to tweak the event to give the community what they would like to see,” Potter said. “After the turnout this year, we feel the community told us loud and clear what they would like to see again next year.”
Potter said making next year even bigger and better is the goal and welcomes input from the community at www.ifallsbass.com
