-
Community
Community
CRYSTAL FALLS — The Bass Festival has long been a staple of Iron County’s summer schedule and the signature event returns for its 56th summer after last year’s cancellation due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The weekend extravaganza of fishing and fun, hosted by the Crystal Falls Lions Club, will be held Saturday, July 10 and Sunday, July 11. Most of the weekend’s events are held at Runkle Lake Park.
Concessions will be available at the park, including brats, hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, strawberry shortcake, pop, water and beer.
At the heart of Bass Festival is the fishing contest. Pre-registration is required for all participants. Pre-register by 6 p.m. July 2 at Superior Sport & Feed, located at 31 Superior Ave. in Crystal Falls.
Fee is $10 for adults; age 16 and are free. There will be adult and kids’ categories and cash prizes will be awarded for largest bass, perch, bluegill, crappie, walleye and pike. Fish are registered by length and total weight. Participants may fish any Iron County waters. There will be a first- and second-place winner in all categories.
Fish can be weighed in at Superior Sport & Feed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from July 3-10 and from 9 a.m. to noon on July 11 at Runkle Lake Park.
Winners will be announced at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 11 at the Runkle Lake Pavilion.
Don’t forget to buy a raffle ticket with a first prize of $1,000.
Dickinson-Iron Health Department will be on site throughout the weekend offering Covid vaccinations along with a lactation tent.
Here is the day-by-day schedule at the Bass Festival:
July 10: The festival gets going with the annual Bass Festival parade, which will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. Lineup starts at 9 a.m. at Forest Park. The procession goes down Superior Avenue and is fun for everyone. This year’s parade theme is “Freedom.”
The annual canoe race will begin at 11:30 a.m. After that, the action moves to Runkle Lake Park. First is the annual chicken barbecue starting at noon. At 1 p.m. a volleyball tournament commences.
Music is a big part of a day of fun and relaxation, and live music will be performed from 1-6 p.m.
The day ends with the annual Wop-Swede softball game, with the first pitch at 7:30 and 50/50 raffles being held.
July 11: Sunday begins with the VFW breakfast buffet from 8 a.m. to noon at the VFW Hall on Superior Avenue.
Next, it’s the 40th annual Run Your Bass Off event, presented by Iron Endurance. There will be both 10K and 5K races as well as a 2-mile Walk Your Bass Off race and a kids’ 1-mile race.
The races start and end at Runkle Lake Park. Registration on the day of the event runs from 7:45-8:30 a.m. Participants may also register online at ironendurance.weebly.com.
The races begin with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.
Fees for the 10K and 5K are $20 pre-registration and $25 on race day. Fees for the 2-mile walk are $10 pre-registration and $15 on race day. The kids’ 1 mile event fee is $5. There will be water and snacks at the finish line. An awards ceremony at the pavilion will follow completion of all races. Race-day registrants will receive T-shirts as long as supplies last.
The remaining Sunday events take place at Runkle Lake Park. The annual community picnic starts at noon, with concessions, food and refreshments. The volleyball tournament continues, and a horseshoe contest will take as well. Fishing contest final entries are due by noon.
Kids’ games and races begin at 1 p.m., with live music from 1-6 p.m.
The fishing contest ends at 3 p.m., when prizes are awarded.
Raffle winners will be announced at 6 p.m.