One of the hottest new travel websites just launched!

northernontario.travel to showcase the incredible travel experiences in the north!

Ontario smallmouth bash fishing - Photo: Ginny Riege

Want to travel to Northern Ontario? Visit the new northernontario.travel website for beautiful photos and articles to help plan your vacation to Ontario. The website covers three sub regions; the Northwest, Algoma and Northeast regions. 

You can also search by experiences such as ATVing, Boating, Fishing, Hunting, Motorcycling, Outdoor Adventures and Snowmobiling. 

So, what are you waiting for? If you want to experience the ultimate Canadian fishing trip, plan a winter vacation, or soak in the wilderness by canoe, head on over to northernontario.travel.

Mud, Music, Dragon Boats, Blueberries and Bass!

The August 10-12th weekend was filled with events in Sunset Country. From the Atikokan 4X4 Mudfling to the Shaw KBI to the Blueberry Festival in Sioux Lookout to the Trout Forest Music Festival in Ear Falls, Sunset Country had it all. Here's a quick recap of the weekend with links to see some of the photos of these summertime events.

Blueberry Bert joining the entertainment

The Blueberry Festival

The Festival is a 10 day festival that ran August 3-12, 2012 in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. This year was special as it was the 30th anniversary of the Blueberry Festival and Sioux Lookout's Centennial. The theme for this year’s Blueberry Festival was 'Hometown Heroes.' This theme was chosen to honour and celebrate the people who have worked so hard to make our community what it is today. There were over 130 events each year at the Blueberry Festival. Visit the Blueberry Festival Facebook page for tons of great photos of all the events. CKDR also has some Blueberry Festival photos.

News Articles of the Blueberry Festival: 
- Blueberry Festival Begins today, Aug. 3

Full Trottle

The 2012 Atikokan Mudfling

The Atikokan Mudslingers 4x4 Club Mudfling was held August 11-12th and had a double feature presentation. Spectators got to see "Full Throttle" and "Paper Boy Express" in action at the Opening Ceremonies and at Intermission on Saturday, and again on Sunday morning. "Full Throttle" and "Paper Boy Express" was set up in an area for you to talk with the people that built and drive these awesome machines and see their cars up close. The 4x4 Mudfling was held at the Charleson Recreation Area in Atikokan. Bookmark the Mudslingers' website for next year's events and to see photos of the event.

The Trout Forest Music Festival

The Ear Falls Waterfront Park came alive for the 17th Annual Trout Forest Music Festival August 10-12, 2012. The weather held out and concert goers were treated to over 25 musical acts including Jon Brooks, Alex Cuba and April Verch. Check out some photos of the Trout Forest Music Festival at Tourism Red Lake's Facebook page or on both Q104s or CKDR's Facebook page.

News articles about the Trout Forest Music Festival:

- Trout Forest Music Festival 2012 Gallery, Aug. 12
- Final Day for Trout Forest Music Festival, Aug. 12
- Trout Forest Music Festival has some of Manitoba's best playing waterside, Aug. 9

Rob Horley holds a 5.58lb largemouth bass caught at the 2012 SKBI - Photo courtesy of the Kenora Daily Miner and News

The Shaw Kenora Bass International

The SKBI was held August 9-11th, 2012 on Lake of the Woods in Kenora. Aaron Wiebe and Peter Tully were the 2012 tournament winners, taking home a $22,375 first prize. 2012 was the 25th year for the SKBI, which for years was named KBI until Shaw became a major sponsor. Past tournaments are showcased on the newly designed SKBI website. The bass tournament on Lake of the Woods is now known as Shaw KBI or SKBI. The biggest bag of fish came on day two with Jim Gustafson and Ben Gustafson reeling in 20.40 lbs. Jon Olson and Clay Lajeunesse got the biggest fish on both Day 1 and Day 2 with a 6.09 and a 5.99 lb bass. Day Three's biggest was caught by Michael Dufresne and Louis Syemour with a 5.38 pounder. All results of the 2012 Shaw KBI can be found online here. View some more photos of the SKBI at the 89.5 The Lake Facebook page.

News articles about the SKBI:

- Wiebe/Tully take 25th Shaw KBI with 18.85-pound final day, Aug 11
- Wiebe and Tully Win SKBI, Aug. 11
- Jim and Ben Gustafson shoot to top of the SKBI leaderboard with 20-plus-pound day two haul, Aug 10 
- McNanney, Rydberg lead SKBI, Aug.9

Dragon Boat racers on Rabbit Lake

The Kenora Dragon Boat Festival

Over 340 paddlers took part in the 10th Annual KLWRCF Dragon Boat Festival held August 12th on Rabbit Lake in Kenora. The one day festival went off without a hitch, finishes a couple of hours before the rain began. 17 boats raced this year's 500-metre water course. The races were held in heats of 2 or three boats starting off on the east end of the lake and ending just in front of the cheering crowd at the Kenora Rowing Club. After a few races, they broke for the flower ceremony where the Dragon Tamers, Chemo Savvy and other female paddlers took to the water. The Dragon Tamers were selling carnations to be thrown in the water after a touching song and the single beat of a drum. The foundation raised $22,000 from this past weekend's dragon boat races. Super Troopers won the A-side title, and Carpe Diem, members of Kenora's legal community placed first in the b-side event. Check out some of the photos on the Sunset Country Facebook page or the 89.5 The Lake Facebook page.

News articles about the Dragon Boat Festival:
- Dragon Boats Profitable for Community Foundation, Aug. 13
- Super Troopers repeat as champs, Aug. 13
- Tenth annual Dragon Boat Festival, Aug. 12

All in all, in was a very busy weekend in Sunset Country. For a list of events in Northwest Ontario, visit the new Ontario's Sunset Country Events Calendar.

It's Sports and Vacation Show Season!

The Ontario's Sunset Country Travel Association will personally be at 5 sportshows this winter. Come on by to pick up our brand new 2012 Travel Guide & Fishing Map and our new Sunset Country Hunting Brochure. We also bring many of our members' brochures to the shows as well. One stop shopping!! The Sunset Country brochures will also be available at the Travel Center at all the All Canada shows as well as at the Northwest Ontario booth at the All Canada Shows.

Minnesota Sportsmen's Boat, Camp & Vacation Show

Where: St. Paul River Centre, St. Paul, MN
When: January 12-15th, 2012
Show Hours:

• Thursday January 12 -  2 pm - 9 pm
• Friday January 13 - Noon - 9 pm
• Saturday January 14 - 10 am - 9 pm
• Sunday January 15 - 10 am - 6 pm

Visit the show website for a $2 off coupon, schedule of seminars (including ones from outdoor pros such as Tony Roach, Jason Dommeyer, Jason Mitchell and Todd Amenrud), and more.

Chicago Outdoor Sportsmen Show

Where: Donald E. Stephens Convention Centre, Rosemont, IL
When: January 26 - 29th, 2012
Show Hours:

• Thursday, January 26 - 2 pm - 8 pm
• Friday, January 27 - 2 pm - 8 pm
• Saturday, January 28 - 10 am - 8 pm
• Sunday, January 29 - 10 am - 5 pm

If you buy your tickets online ahead of time, they are $2 cheaper and you get a free magazine subscription to Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Islands or Transworld Motorcross (one per household). See the website for details.

Cedar Rapids Sportshow

Where: Hawkeye Downs Expo Centre, Cedar Rapaids, IA
When: February 10-12th, 2012
Show Hours:

• Friday February 10 - 2 pm - to 8 pm
• Saturday February 11 - 10 am - 8 pm
• Sunday February 12 - 10am - 4 pm

Visit the Cedar Rapids Sportshow website for prices, to print a coupon and for more information. Visit the "Ask the Pros" Info Booth where Fishing and Hunting experts are featured throughout the show. Stop by, ask questions, get great tips.

Red River Valley Sportsmen's Boat, Camping & Vacation Show

Where: Fargodome, Fargo, ND
When: March 1-4th, 2012
Show Hours:

• Thursday March 1 - 5 pm - 9pm
• Friday March 2 - Noon - 9 pm
• Saturday March 3 - 10 am - 9 pm
• Sunday March 4 - 10 am - 6 pm

Come to the 47th Red River Valley Sportsmen's Boat, Camping & Vacation Show, North Dakota's largest sportshow. In addition to all the exhibitors, there are tons of seminars to see including some by Frank Addington Jr., Ted Takasaki, and hunter Todd Amenrud. There is a trout pond and a Kids Fishing Workshop with the pros from Scheels. Visit their website to see a complete list of seminars.

Fox Cities Sports & Vacation Show

Where:Tri-County Arena Neenah, WI
When: March 9-11th, 2012
Show Hours:

• Friday March 9 - 2 pm - 9 pm
• Saturday March 10 - 10 am - 8 pm
• Sunday March 11 - 10 am - 4pm

Visit the Fox Cities Sports & Vacation Show website for more information and coupons. 

Stop on by at any of these Sports Shows and pick up some brochures to help plan your trip. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for more updates on the Sportshows.

If we aren't heading your way this year, order your free 2012 Travel Guide & Map online and have it delivered to your door.

Time to Plan Your Summer Vacation

Vacations in Ontario's Sunset Country

Hey we know the economy's a real drag these days but perhaps a vacation would make you feel better? Sure it costs money to go on a trip but the great thing is there are loads of great resort and lodge packages, campgrounds and hotels up here in Ontario's Sunset Country. Your visit can be for a week renting a cabin along the lake, fishing and exloring the surroundings. Bring your trailer or RV and explore the many campgrounds and parks we have. Go hiking, swimming or canoeing. The great outdoors offers a wide choice of activities for the entire family.

To get you started you can use the links to the right to find the website with specific information on the vacation you are planning. All of the Travel Association's member business are listed on these websites so you have instant access to the people with the packages and services you're looking for.

Here's a list of some of the things you can do:

Rent a Cabin, Boat and Motor and Go Fishing

Rent a Houseboat

Go Camping

Take a Fly-in Fishing Trip

Go Canoeing in a Provincial Park

Try Scuba Diving in a Freshwater Lake

Sailing

Rock Climbing

Mountain Biking

Nature Photography and Wildlife Viewing

Experience Festivals and Go Shopping in Town

Enter a Bass Fishing Tournament

Wayfinding With a GPS

and lots,lots more...the key thing to remember is that a grand vacation is not far away from home - especially if you live in the Midwest States, the Prairie Provinces in Canada or right here in Ontario. We offer great value, great fun and great memories in Ontario's Sunset Country.