Bass Festival

The 51st annual Bass Festival, a tradition that combines a fishing tournament, a community picnic, a canoe race, live music and other fun summer activities, is set for July 9-12. The event is sponsored by the Crystal Falls Lions Club.
Events start on Thursday, July 9, with bingo at the Nylund Building on Superior Avenue. Bingo begins at 6 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Concessions are available. There will be jackpots and cash prizes.
Things heat up on Friday night as Nylund’s annual boxing invitational takes center stage. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the action beginning at 7 p.m. Concessions will be available.
Highlighting Saturday is the Bass Festival parade down Superior Avenue at 10 a.m., followed by the canoe races on the Paint River at 11:30. This year’s parade theme is “51 Years of Fun in the Sun.”
At noon, the community picnic, featuring a chicken barbecue dinner, will kick off the activities at Runkle Lake Park on the east end of town. The volleyball tournament begins at noon, and caricature drawings will be available throughout the day.
There will be music from 2-5 p.m., with live music by Crossroads with Larry Ketola from 2:30-5 p.m.
The traditional softball battle between the Wops and Swedes begins at 7:30 p.m. at the ball field.
Sunday is another day filled with summer fun for all ages. Activities begin Sunday with a pancake breakfast at the VFW Post on Superior Avenue from 7 a.m. to noon.
The renowned Run Your Bass Off 5K and 10K races and the 5K Walk Your Bass Off start at 9 a.m. at Runkle Lake. Registration is at 8 a.m. and is available online at www.crystalfallsmi.com.
The festivities continue with the community picnic and volleyball tournament at noon at Runkle Lake Park. There will also be concessions with food and refreshments. The final entries for the fishing contest will be accepted at this time as well. Caricature drawings are available throughout the day.
The baby contest, for children 3 and under, and the horseshoe tournament also begin noon. Kids’ games and races start at 2 p.m. Music by Chris Kuzak will last from 2-6 p.m.
Fishing contest prizes will be awarded beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Remember to get your rules, regulations and registration forms for the fishing contest. They are available at Michi-Aho Motel and Crystal Bait Shop. All fish must be registered before freezing. Judging will begin at 3:30 p.m.
During this year’s Bass Fest, the Lions Club will be selling its raffle tickets. Only 1,400 tickets will be sold, and the top prize is $1,000.

Events and tagged bass festival, run your bass off.