Monday, August 15, 2011

Blue Rodeo to Christen 'HarbourDome'

Blue Rodeo will be first concert at Kenora's HarbourDome.
Blue Rodeo is playing for the opening of Kenora's new Harbourfront tent. The yellow and black tent that has been a staple on the Harbourfront for many years is no more. Last Monday a strong gust of wind lifted the tent and down it came. As I walked by a day or two later it was a sad sight to see the tent laying in a crumpled heap. The end of an era I guess.

Luckily for Kenora residents and visitors, contractors have been hard at work last year and this summer building  the new 'HarbourDome'. The new permanent, year round tent will be bigger and better. The tent is one part of the massive renovation down at the Kenora Harbourfront. I for one can't wait to see it completed. This is the second phase of the downtown revitalization. The first phase was done a few years ago with Main Street being gutted and the roundabout being built.

Blue Rodeo is set to christen the tent performing live on September 16th. Tourism Kenora is selling tickets online and you can either get them mailed to you or you can pick them up at the new Discovery Centre on Lakeview Drive. Tickets are either $50, $70 or $90 plus a $4 service fee and tax.

Kenora, often promoted as the 'Events' city has just announced that the Stampeders are booked to play two weeks later on October 2nd. The Juno Award-winning classic rock group is best known for it's 'Sweet City Woman' hit. Tickets are $45 and can be bought at www.mygolive.com It looks like the new tent with a capacity of 2000 people will be bringing bigger names in the future. Personally, I am hoping for the Tragically Hip one day. The Stampeders are also set to play in Fort Frances and Dryden. On September 30th you'll find them belting out tunes at the Townsend Theatre in Fort Frances and then at the Dryden Cultural Centre on October 1st.

For other events in Sunset Country visit our Events Calendar on our Facebook page.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Where Does One Find Stock Car Racing and a Horse Show?

Stock Car Races at the Emo Speedway - Courtesy of the R. R. Valley Agricultural Society

At the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair! Catch the action in Emo, Ontario August 18-20, 2011

The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair takes place at the Fairgrounds in Emo. There is so much to do at the fair this year. The popular Stock Car Races run on Friday and Saturday nights. Hotlaps start at 6pm and racing starts at 6:30pm. Racing is held at the Emo Speedway. The Borderland Racing Association holds a Pancake Breakfast August 19 from 7-10am where the members serve up a great breakfast of pancakes, and sausages with coffee or juice.

The Horse Show at the Rainy River Valley is one of the few horse shows in the area. So if you are a horse lover, be sure to make your way down to watch. There are a variety of classes and events including miniature, draft and light horses. On Friday the Horse Show starts at 9am and Saturday it begins at 8am sharp. Look for the horses in the northwest corner of the Fairgrounds.

Rainy River Valley Fall Fair Horse Show - Courtesy of the RRVAS

As for the exhibitions, anyone can be an exhibitor. Just become a member of the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society and then you can enter lots of your great handiwork, garden produce, chickens, goats, rabbits, homemade delicacies and much more. Download the Fair Book to see what you can exhibit. There's a whole lot more to do than enter or view exhibits. See the 4-H displays of completed projects in the 4-H Exhibition Hall. Enjoy a beef burger, homemade French fries or locally grown corn on the cob at the 4-H Food Booth. Take a walk to the barns to visit the animals and pets that the 4-H members have raised as 4-H projects this year. The motto of the 4-H Club is “Learn to do by doing".

The Beef Show has been a tradition since the very beginning of the Fall Fair.  It's great competition and a good time. Often there are exhibitors not only from Rainy River Valley, but Dryden, Thunder Bay and Manitoba as well. There are classes for all age of cattle, male and female including a Jackpot Heifer Class and Open Showmanship  (if you are walking through the barn and decide you would like to try showing you just need to ask to borrow a animal and you can compete in this class), Breeders Herd, Andy Carpenter Memorial Herdsman Award, and a special class for kids that are too young for 4-H.  Ever see a cow have a bath and a haircut? Take a few minutes and visit the barn to see this spectacle.

Midway Rides for the Young and Young at Heart

Select Shows brings their midway to Emo from Thursday to Saturday. Thursday the midway runs from 2pm-midnight. Friday and Saturday the rides are open from noon to midnight. There are rides for both young and old. Younger children will enjoy the smaller rides while the older children and adults can feel the exhilaration of a larger, scarier ride. I find if you are stressed, a fast-paced scary ride where you yell at the top of your lungs always helps. Everyone will enjoy some of the treats like a candy apple or cotton candy.

The RRVAS Parade held on Saturday at 12:00pm sharp. The Parade route begins in front of the Emo Hospital then follows Front Street, turns onto Queen Street, then crosses Highway 11/71 and ends at the grandstand. This year's parade theme is anything Disney.

The Loggers Competition is sure to impress. All events are in front of the grandstand. Competitions include speed power saw, 2 man cross-cut, chair carve, pole felling, buck saw, axe thros, pulpwood toss, axe chop, tea boil and Jack & Jill events.

What would a Fall Fair be without a Queen? You can meet the Queen candidates at a supper and fashion show on Monday August 15th starting at 6pm. This year's contestants are Chelsey Mosley, Kaylee Heyens, Sarah Glover, Hailey Trimble and Liz Steele.  The crowning of the RRVAS Fall Fair Queen takes place on Thursday.

Mini King & Queen Contest - Courtesy of the R. R. Valley Agricultural Society

Each year the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 99, Emo, sponsors a Mini-Queen and Mini-King pageant. Several boys and girls compete in the Mini-Queen and Mini-King pageants ages 3-6 years of age. The pageant takes place Thursday at 7:30pm in the arena during the Queen Contest.

The Song Star Showcase is an amazing lineup of 12 local singers from the Rainy River District. They will be preforming on the small stage from 2-5pm Friday and Saturday. Come out and enjoy what the local singers have to offer. Saturday night Centreline takes the stage performing hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s. The dance will be from 9pm-1am.

Visit the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair's website for a complete list and schedule of events and attractions. For more information on Emo, visit the Township of Emo's webpage or go to www.ontariotowns.net/Emo/ for things to do and places to stay in Emo.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

"The Funnest Bass Tourney in the Northwest"

Boats waiting to take off in the morning. Courtesy of the ABC.

The Atikokan Bass Classic is held on August 12-13, 2011. Last year's $10,000 first place winners of this fishing tournament were Darwin King and Guy Legarrie. The pair were eighth place after day one and then catapulted into first place with a huge catch of 20.04 pounds on Saturday. Who will come home with the big prize this year?  Payout is 96% of Team Entry with the first place finish netting approximately $10,000. Besides the top 10 teams, prizes will also go to the best Parent & Child, Grandparent & Child, All Women, Male/Female Teams and for the biggest fish. There are four flights each day. The tournament fishing hours on Friday and Saturday are:
  • First flight: 7:00am to 3:00pm
  • Second flight: 7:15am to 3:15pm
  • Third flight: 7:30am to 3:30pm
  • Fourth flight 7:45am to 3:45pm
Access into Marmion Lake is at the Anderson Dam Landing. Anglers must fish the Upper and Lower Marmion Reservoirs in accordance with the Official Tournament Map. Entry fee is $500 per team, maximum two (2) people per boat. Competitors are provided a free steak supper the Friday night of the tourney. The Atikokan Legion Branch #145 and Legion Ladies Auxiliary are catering the meal.

Nice bass caught in the Atikokan Bass Classic - Courtesy of ABC.

Besides the fishing tournament, Atikokan goes all out and has a Bass Classic Family Fishing Festival. Some events started on August 6th but there is still a lot going on. Tuesday night there is a camp-out at the Atikokan Public Library from 6:30-8:00pm (registration required, ages 10-12), the Atikokan Bass Classic Dart Tournament at the Legion and a Poker Bike Ride at the Charleson Recreation Area. On Wednesday there is a Pow-wow under the Big Tent, Couples Golf, Game Night at the Atikokan Public Library from 6:30-8:00pm for ages 12 & up and fireworks at dusk at the White Street Ball Park.

Atikokan Bass Classic Boat Parade. - Courtesy of ABC.

Thursday is jammed packed with activities: A Farmer's Market at the Atikokan Foodland Parking lot from 10am-5pm, Artisan Tent at the greenspace beside CIBC, Funtastic Castle Kid's Event, Outdoor Games at the Library, Beer Gardens, the Parade of Boats on Main Street at 6pm and the ANFC Fish Fry under the Big Tent and more. The actual Fishing Tournament is on the Friday and Saturday (August 12-13). Friday also has a Bake-off, Beer Gardens, Movie Day at the Library and Country Singer Chris Janson in the evening. Day 1 weigh-in is at 3pm under the Big Tent. The festival ends Saturday with a day of fishing, Jumper Fun at the corner of Main & White Streets, Beer Gardens and a Street Dance featuring Night Train. Day 2 weigh-in for the Atikokan Bass Classic is at 3pm. For a complete schedule of events and more information on each event visit the Atikokan Bass Classic website.

With so much going on, there's surely something that will peek your interest. For more information on Atikokan or places to stay, visit the Atikokan Economic Development Corporation, the Town of Atikokan, the Atikokan Chamber of Commerce or www.ontariotowns.net/Atikokan

Stay tuned for the 2011 Atikokan Bass Classic Results!


UPDATE: Results of the 2011 Atikokan Bass Classic

Kevin Rissanen of Atikokan and Cory Nephin of Geraldton blew the competition away with a total of 42.62 lbs. Second place went to to Kim and Aaron Wiens of Atikokan with 36.54 lbs.  It was a fairly close race from second place all the way to sixth place. The big fish on day one went to Doug and Greg Sampson with a 5.75 pounder. Day two had a heavier big fish with Ed Gouliquer and Jim Bauler bringing in a nice 6.19 lb bass. The big fish on day one helped Doug and Greg Sampson to catch the biggest bag the first day. Their total was 22.09 lbs which would be the biggest bag of the fishing tournament. The biggest catch of day two went to winners Kevin Rissanen and Cory Nephin with a total of 21.21 lbs. Consistency was key for Rissanen and Nephin as the first day they also had a good day of bass fishing bringing in a total of 21.41 lbs. 

The top 10 anglers at the 2011 Atikokan Bass Classic:
  1. Kevin Rissanen, Cory Nephin - 42.62 lbs
  2. Aaron and Kim Wiens - 36.54 lbs
  3. Joe and Rick Machura - 36.34 lbs
  4. Doug and Greg Sampson - 36.2 lbs
  5. Leroy and Mike Wilson - 36.08 lbs
  6. Shane Manford, Cuffy Kehl - 36.01 lbs
  7. Glenn Leroux, Trevor Zimak - 35.64 lbs
  8. Dave Williams, Scott Manford - 34.99 lbs
  9. Pete Politis, Shawn Anderson - 34.69 lbs
  10. Kevin and Curtis Ritchie - 34.06 lbs
2011 Category Prizes:
  1. Best Parent & Child under 16 - Jody and Jeremy Shypit
  2. Best Grandparent & Grandchild under 16 - Austin and Larry Loew
  3. Best All Women Team - Debbie Coulson and Cathy Dayman
  4. Best Male/Female Team - Rene and Deb Cadence
  5. Hidden Weight Day One - Dave Galusha and Vic Alberts
  6. Hidden Weight Day Two - Jody and Jeremy Shypit
  7. Young Angler Award - Jeremy Shypit
 For more results visit the Atikokan Bass Classic website.