Enjoy the festivities

    “Bass Week” is here!
    The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship had a somewhat humble origin back in 1995, when 47 teams took to the waters of Rainy Lake for a three-day tournament that featured an $11,000 first prize.
    Over the years, however, thanks to the dedication of its board of directors and the help of hundreds of volunteers, the FFCBC has blossomed into a week-long community festival that now sees 137 teams chasing a top prize of $50,000.
    The main draw is still the fishing, of course, which gets underway tomorrow morning and wraps up Saturday afternoon. The big tent at the Sorting Gap Marina is the place to be during the daily weigh-ins, culminating with the biggest—and loudest—crowd when the top 10 teams after Day 2 are paraded in to cheers and blaring rock music.
    It’s an atmosphere that still impresses the out-of-town teams—and brings them back year after year.
    But the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship offers much more to residents of all ages. The annual “KidPro” tournament, which pairs local youths with teams competing in the FFCBC, continues to be a popular kick-off to “Bass Week.”
    A MuchMusic Video Teen Dance Party was held Monday night, with the always popular “Kiddie Quest” and “Quest for the Best” following last night.
    The annual parade of boats, which gets underway today at 5 p.m., always draws a big crowd along the route from Fourth Street West down to the Sorting Gap Marina.
    For the youngsters, “Daytime Land” will be open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. For the older set, the nighttime entertainment still to come includes a comedian and the “Battle of the Bands” tonight, then more bands either on the Budweiser Big Rig or under the tent.
    And let’s not forget the Gropp’s Country Old-time Meat Supper, Sunset Country Métis fish fry, and Kiwanis steak fry that are sure to satisfy every appetite between Thursday and Saturday.
    Enjoy the festivities, everyone, and good luck to all the anglers!