Come join the fun!

When the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship got underway Sunday with the Safeway KidPro, few people realized how much work had already gone into creating the site and making things happen. Months before the tournament begins, businesses and organizations are contacted to assist the tournament.
The contacts, often in personal visits by directors, are for requests for donations either in the way of services or cash. Sponsors may feel more comfortable in providing products or services to the tournament instead of financial support.
Donations are all welcomed by the tournament. Shimano will donate their live release boat as will Lund-Mercury. The Shimano boat is located in Winnipeg and must be picked up and transported to Fort Frances. Often a volunteer with a very big truck will make that trip. Lund makes their own arrangements to get their live release boat to Fort Frances.
The city of Kenora lends the bleachers in the stand to Fort Frances. Darryl Eyolfson travels to Kenora and picks it up and returns it.
In some cases, the difference between the cost and the normal price of services and products is donated to the tournament, so that the businesses costs are covered by their donation but at a greatly reduced price to the tournament.
Letters are sent out very early to major sponsors such as Abitibi and the Town of Fort Frances outlining what the tournament hopes to be able to receive from them. Meetings are held between them and agreements are reached.
All of this takes time.
This year has been a real struggle for the tournament. Because of the down swing in the economy, some sponsors are no longer able to make a financial contribution to the tournament. Other businesses because of reductions in staff and down sizing have not been able to commit their services and the time of some of their employees to the tournament that they have in previous years. Other tournaments in North America are finding similar challenges that are facing the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
Some sponsors have ceased to operate.
This year’s tournament has many new exciting attractions marking its 15th year. The huge 40-foot fish aquarium is returning, and will have two presenters doing shows for the three full days of the tournament. The aquarium will be stocked with species of fish common to the Rainy River District.
Rainy River First Nations have agreed to bring in a couple of sturgeon so that spectators will be able to see what this ancient fish looks like. Fishermen will be asked to bring in walleye, northern, crappie, bass, and perch on Wednesday afternoon to stock the tank.
Wednesday night at 10:00 a huge fireworks show will explode over the river at the tent site.
Michelle Cain has worked hard to bring additional attractions to daytime land. A fun climbing wall will challenge young people. It will be added to the inflatables that have been on site for the past several years.
To keep the tournament alive and refreshed, spectators this year are being asked to pay a voluntary admission fee of $2 for the daytime activities. They can also enter draws to win attendance door prizes each day.
Tom Fry and his board have worked hard to make this tournament successful. It is a week to celebrate Fort Frances and district. Come join the festival.

–Jim Cumming,
Publisher