Walleye fever arrives in RR Friday!

Ken Johnston
Editor

The Fourth Annual Rainy River Chamber of Commerce Live Release Walleye Tournament is set to launch this weekend.
Over the weekend the big tent went up on the water front at the base of Rainy Rive while countless others have been behind the scenes getting ready to put on what has arguably become the community’s biggest event of the year!
160 anglers will be vying for the top prize in the tournament which is $15,000 cash! Many of them have been out on the river in the past week and surely all will be at one time or another before this weekend.
On Friday the official opening of the tournament will start with the annual parade of boats at 4 p.m. It will begin on Sixth St. and run east on Hwy. 11 and south on Main St. to the water front. Motorists should note that the street along the park (River Ave.) will be closed to traffic to allow for parking of the competitors boats and vehicles. Main St. will also be closed for two hours Friday from 4-6 p.m. for the parade.
At the tent after the parade official introduction of the teams will take place and a lasagna dinner will he held for them and the public as well. Chefs from the Rainy River Recreation Board and Co. will be in charge. It will cost $10 per plate.
A rules meeting for contestants will be held at 7 p.m. That will be followed by a new event at 9 p.m. featuring Tyzen the amazing Hypnotist. Advance tickets are only $5. They will be $8 at the door! That will be followed by Karoake at 11 p.m. Of course there will be beer gardens available.
7:45 a.m. Saturday things get off to an big start with the 80 boats departing for a day of competitive fishing on the Rainy River.
At 10 a.m. kids can learn how to fish from the Pathways to Fishing program which is making its fourth appearance at the RRWT.
At 11 a.m. the RR Toy Library will host kids games in the park. A penny table will also open at 11 a.m. in the tent and will run until Sunday.
At Noon a kids mini fishing tournament will be held for ages 8-16. To register call Lisa at 852-3886.
At 1 p.m. the always favourite talent show and a walkman singing contest will be held in the tent.
At 3:45 p.m. the first day’s weigh-ins will take place in the tent.
What would an exciting fishing tournament be without a fish-fry! The Rainy River Curling Club, famous for their fish-fries, will host one at 5 p.m. that day at the tent.
At 8:30 p.m. a special musical performance will be held featuring rising stars “This Side Up!”
At 9 p.m. The Poor Boys take center stage in the tent to rock the town with live music at the annual main event dance!
Both a Mocktail Bar (hosted by the Healthy Communities Coalition) and a Beer Gardens (hosted by the Wildland’s Snowdusters Snowmobile Club) will be held that evening.
Sunday the boats will be back out on the water at 7:45 a.m. for day 2 of the competition.
At 12:30 p.m. the Second Annual Silly Boat Parade and Race will bring some more fun to the weekend. The parade will be held along the same route as the Friday Parade of Boats. Then the boats will be judged and prizes awarded. After that a Silly Boat Race will take place from Second St. to the Government Dock.
At 1 p.m. the penny table will be drawn.
At 2:45 p.m. the moment so many people will have been waiting for will take place. The final weigh-ins will be held and the top five boats from day one will be paraded in last through the tent to ad to the suspense.
After that an awards presentation will take place to crown the champions and the River Champions as well. Then the draw for the RR Fire Department boat, ATV and mini bike will take place.
At 4 p.m. the weekend will wrap up with the World Famous Legion Steak Fry.
For more information on the event, anglers or great deals at area businesses during the weekend pick up a copy of the Rainy River Record Walleye Edition free of charge on local store counters or the tent.