Corner turned?

Like any event that’s been running for more than two decades, the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship faces the challenge of keeping people wanting to attend it year after year.
But while there’s no question the FFCBC is a far cry from its heyday in terms of team numbers, activities, and attendance, there are signs our annual bass tournament is on the rebound.
As of late this morning, about 90 teams had registered to hit the water at first light tomorrow for the three-day tournament. That’s up from last year and a solid number considering only 60 or so were signed up just last month.
While the turnout was disappointing, it’s great to see the former “Kid-Pro” tournament—following a year’s hiatus—being revamped thanks to Safeway’s continued support as a pro-am event open to all ages to kick off “Bass Week.”
Scott Street businesses, meanwhile, deserve kudos for staging the first “Bass Boat Show & Shine” earlier today in place of the boat parade. Having different groups and organizations step to the plate to hold events ensures a more vibrant FFCBC—and certainly takes a load off an organizing committee already stretched too thin by a shortage of volunteers.
The “Harmony of Nations,” “Peace Pull,” and dragon boat races all have the potential to attract visitors to our community. The FFCBC already is there—providing a much-needed economic shot-in-the-arm here each July while showcasing our community and beautiful Rainy Lake in a way money just can’t buy.
Hopefully, the FFCBC has turned the corner because it’s too important to let fall by the wayside. The key, of course, is volunteers to help run it and spectators to support it financially.
We all have a role to play to keep the FFCBC afloat for many years to come.