Dave Ogilvie
The dedicated and hard-working directors of the Emo Walleye Classic have been meeting and planning for months to prepare for the eight-annual “catch-and-release” fishing tournament which is being held May 28-30 this year.
Fifty-six teams of anglers from all over Canada and the United States have registered for their chance to share in nearly $40,000 in prize money.
The anglers will arrive for set-up at 5 p.m. on Thursday and then parade their boats down Front Street starting at 5:30.
Family, friends, and fishing fans from far and wide traditionally have lined the street to welcome the anglers to town and to cheer on their favourite duo.
The bar and venders will be open at the arena on Thursday from 4-10 p.m. The penny table also will be open and raffle tickets available during the evening.
As well, the Muskie girls’ hockey team will be hosting a fish fry from 5-10 p.m. at the arena. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for kids and seniors.
Meanwhile, all those volunteering for this year’s EWC are asked to check in Thursday from 5-8 p.m.
The reading of the official tournament rules will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m., with the boat parade participation prize draw be held between 7:30 and 8 p.m.
On Friday, the tournament will begin with a breakfast at the arena from 6-10 p.m. The first flight of boats will leave from the Front Street launch between 8 and 8:30 a.m.
The venders and the bar in the arena will be open Friday from 1-11 p.m. The information booth and food vendors also will be open at this time.
A wide variety of food is being offered this year, including barbecued burgers and hot dogs, perogies, chili, ice cream, baking, and more!
The first flight of boats will return Friday, at 3:30 p.m., with the second flight following at 4 p.m.
The official weigh-in will take place from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
The evening meal for Friday will be a spaghetti dinner, complete with Caesar salad and garlic toast, served by the Emo Figure Skating Club starting at 5 p.m.
Tickets again cost $12 for adults and $6 for kids and seniors.
Friday also will be musical night at the EWC.
The fifth-annual “Walleyedol” singing competition, featuring local performers, will begin at 7 p.m. There also is a new classification called “Minnoweyedol,” which will be for younger performers who wish to share their singing talents.
Admission is free.
Following that, a karaoke party and “Guitar Hero” competition will be held from 9:30-11 p.m. on the arena stage. There will be prizes, but the main purpose of this activity is to get everyone to have fun and be involved.
Performers who really “rock” and entertain the audience will be given bonus points.
Saturday—the biggest and busiest day of the competition—will begin with breakfast at the arena canteen from 6-10 a.m.
The first flight of boats for the final day will leave the dock at 8 a.m., followed by the second flight at 8:30 a.m.
The venders and the bar in the arena will be open from 11-1 a.m.
Activities for the children, scheduled to take place from noon-4 p.m., and will feature a kids’ “Guitar Hero” competition, fishing activities, face-painting, colouring contest, crafts, and more!
The first flight of boats will return to the Front Street launch at 3:30 p.m., followed by the second flight at 4 p.m.
The final weigh-ins will take place from 3:30-6:30, after which the 2009 EWC champions will be crowned.
The Royal Canadian Legion Br. #99’s raffle for 10 fantastic prizes will be held Saturday at 7 p.m. The grand prize is a “4 seasons of fun” package consisting of a snowmachine and four-wheeler, complete with a plow and winch and a trailer with a swivel jack.
The retail value of this first prize is $22,312.96 (supplied by Tompkins Hardware Ltd. and Yamaha).
Tickets cost $10 each, and only 3,500 tickets have been printed.
A prime rib dinner, hosted by local 4-H clubs, will be served in the arena from 5-8 p.m. Tickets, which are only $15 each, will go quickly so get yours early!
The eighth-annual EWC then will conclude Saturday night with dance (age of majority only) from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. in the Emo-La Vallee Arena.
Admission is $5, with music being provided by Yowza Music Services.
Come out, celebrate another successful tournament, and dance the night away!
