Duane Hicks
The annual international tug-of-war between Fort Frances and International Falls, this year scheduled for July 2, is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.
Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft, who is the town’s rep on the event planning committee, said during a special committee of the whole meeting yesterday that the tug-of-war will be promoted during the Canada Day parade.
Both Mayor Roy Avis and Falls Mayor Shawn Mason will ride the float, having a mock tug-of-war or fight over a “river” of some sort.
Then on July 2, the contest will consist of two tugs.
The first will be between Fort Frances town council and International Falls city council, each of which will be joined by celebrities (i.e., politicians, athletes, or otherwise).
The teams will consist of 20 participants.
“Any celebrities that we know of, please bring them to my attention so we can get going on the
invitations,” noted Coun. Wiedenhoeft.
Coun. Sharon Tibbs quipped that he should screen any celebrities to “see how good they are at pulling on the rope.”
The second tug will be between Canadian and U.S. teams each consisting of 50 men and women.
A brand new trophy will be presented to the winning team in this second tug.
Organizers are trying to arrange the national anthems of both countries to be sung prior to the contest.
As well, they will check with the health unit here to see if they will be able to hold a charity barbecue on this side of the border in conjunction with the event.
The public could get burgers, smokies, and the like for the cost of a donation to a local service club or other charity.
Such a group still has to be determined, but Coun. Wiedenhoeft suggested its members would be asked to do the grilling in return for getting the donated funds.
As previously reported, this year’s international tug-of-war will coincide with the dedication of the new James Oberstar Riverfront Complex across the river, a $11.3-million project which is owned by the Falls Economic Development Administration and leased to the U.S. government.
The complex includes a fishing pier, boat launch, a seaplane base, a picnic area, and hiking and biking trails, as well as the Irvin N. Anderson Amphitheater.
Canadian classic rockers, Loverboy, will play the inaugural concert at the amphitheater later on July 2.
